Genetic evidence further elucidates the history and extent of badger introductions from Great Britain into Ireland.

ABSTRACT: The colonization of Ireland by mammals has been the subject of extensive study using genetic methods and forms a central problem in understanding the phylogeography of European mammals after the Last Glacial Maximum. Ireland exhibits a depauperate mammal fauna relative to Great Britain and continental Europe, and a range of natural and anthropogenic processes have given rise to its modern fauna. Previous Europe-wide surveys of the European badger (Meles meles) have found conflicting microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA evidence in Irish populations, suggesting Irish badgers have arisen from admixture between human imported British and Scandinavian animals. The extent and history of contact between British and Irish badger populations remains unclear. We use comprehensive genetic data from

SUBMITTER: Allen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7211870 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature