biostudies-literatureSkey EDAustralian Research Councile10037https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10154367biostudies-literatureUnknown13(5)Landscape genetics is increasingly transitioning away from microsatellites, with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) providing increased resolution for detecting patterns of spatial-genetic structure. This is particularly pertinent for research in arid-zone mammals due to challenges associated with unique life history traits, such as boom-bust population dynamics and long-distance dispersal capacities. Here, we provide a case study comparing SNPs versus microsatellites for testing three explicit landscape genetic hypotheses (isolation-by-distance, isolation-by-barrier, and isolation-by-resistance) in a suite of small, arid-zone mammals in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Using clustering algorithms, Mantel tests, and linear mixed effects models, we compare functional connectivitEcology and evolutionEmpirical landscape genetic comparison of single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites in three arid-zone mammals with high dispersal capacity.PMC10154367LP170100061Skey EDShaw REOttewell KMSpencer PBfalseEmpirical landscape genetic comparison of single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites in three arid-zone mammals with high dispersal capacity.Landscape genetics is increasingly transitioning away from microsatellites, with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) providing increased resolution for detecting patterns of spatial-genetic structure. This is particularly pertinent for research in arid-zone mammals due to challenges associated with unique life history traits, such as boom-bust population dynamics and long-distance dispersal capacities. Here, we provide a case study comparing SNPs versus microsatellites for testing three explicit landscape genetic hypotheses (isolation-by-distance, isolation-by-barrier, and isolation-by-resistance) in a suite of small, arid-zone mammals in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Using clustering algorithms, Mantel tests, and linear mixed effects models, we compare functional connectivit2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 May2026-06-03T19:55:24.205Z2025-04-07T01:47:34.595ZS-EPMC101543673715302010.1002/ece3.10037