Population genetic structure of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis ) in Alberta

The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) was recently listed as threatened in the Endangered Species Act in the United States (March 24 th, 2000). The suggestion that lynx populations in the United States are maintained by migration of lynx from Canada, exemplifies the importance of maintaining healthy Canadian populations. Lynx populations in Canada experience periodic and cyclic changes in population size and experience trapping pressure. In this study, 19 microsatellite loci were used to investigate the level of genetic variability present in the Alberta lynx population, genetic differentiation within the population, and sex-biased dispersal. The level of genetic diversity in Alberta lynx was high relative to most other felid species, suggesting a large and stable effective population size. However, fine-scale population structure analyses revealed a reduction in gene flow across Highway 63, a short distance relative to maximal dispersal ability. Furthermore, lynx appeared to be slightly isolated by distance when sampled over 748 km. Sex-biased dispersal was not detected in this study, which suggests a similar dispersal mechanisms in males and females.