Defense Date

6-22-2022

Graduation Date

Summer 8-13-2022

Availability

One-year Embargo

Submission Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS

Department

Environmental Science and Management (ESM)

Committee Chair

Jan E. Janecka

Committee Member

Brady Porter

Committee Member

Emily Carrollo

Keywords

Ursus americanus, American black bear, microsatellite, short tandem repeat, population structure, wildlife

Abstract

Pennsylvania black bear population are around 15,000 to 17,000 individuals with some of the largest hunter-harvested males in the county. Microsatellites are an important tool that provide insight into populations that can be used for monitoring, management decisions, and DNA testing for wildlife law enforcement through DNA matching. This study provides a preliminary analysis of population structure in Pennsylvania and determines the validity of using a panel of 8 microsatellite markers for forensic cases. 85 black bears from three geographic regions in Pennsylvania were sampled. This study identified an average expected heterozygosity of 0.794, PID of 3.2x10-10, and Fst values between 0.032 and 0.085. It shows evidence for low levels of population structure between the Northeast region and the rest of the state, based on STRUCTURE results, Fst values, and historical and geographical contexts. Future studies in Pennsylvania should include greater state-wide coverage and incorporate remote-sensing data.

Language

English

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