Isolation Consequences: Researchers discover Olympic Peninsula cougars are becoming more isolated based on genetic evidence

Katherine Zeller

Treesearch

Isolation Consequences: Researchers discover Olympic Peninsula cougars are becoming more isolated based on genetic evidence

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Katherine Zeller

Year:

2023

Type:

Science Bulletins and Newsletters

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

Science You Can Use (in 5 Minutes), July 2023. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 2 p.

Download (PDF 4.13 MB)

Download (PDF 4.13 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/66382.pdf

Abstract

Using genetic material from what may be the largest DNA database of its kind on cougars, researchers mapped the connectivity of these wild cat populations across Washington and into British Columbia, Canada. One of the big reveals from tracking how cougar genes flow across the state is: Cougars on the Olympic Peninsula - especially males - are not likely to mingle with other populations.

Keywords

cougar population, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, Columbia, genetic tracking, inbreeding, survival rate

Citation

Zeller, Kathy. 2023. Isolation Consequences: Researchers discover Olympic Peninsula cougars are becoming more isolated based on genetic evidence. Science You Can Use (in 5 Minutes), July 2023. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 2 p.