The design used to source animals for translocation and captive breeding programmes can strongly influence sampling results and outcomes. To date, no trapping design has been specifically directed at maximizing genetic diversity of individuals for use in such programmes. Using genetic and demographic data, we investigated the spatial structure of critically endangered woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi ) populations for developing a spatial trapping design that would return a genetically representative cohort of animals by taking advantage of the dispersal behaviour of the species. Using microsatellite markers, we tested our design against more conventional trapping approaches and determined that animals captured under our spatial design were less related than animals captured using grid or standard transect designs. We clearly show that incorporating the target species’ ecology (e.g. dispersal patterns) in the capture design will improve the genetic differences (through reduced relatedness) between harvested individuals. This study sets out a practical approach that can significantly improve potential conservation outcomes. This approach is applicable to all species that have a predictable dispersal pattern.

中文翻译：

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空间敏感的收获设计可以最大限度地减少遗传相关性并提高易位计划中的遗传结果

用于为易地和圈养繁殖计划采购动物的设计会强烈影响采样结果和结果。迄今为止，还没有任何诱捕设计专门针对最大限度地提高用于此类计划的个体的遗传多样性。使用遗传和人口统计数据，我们调查了极度濒危的 woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) 种群的空间结构，以开发一种空间诱捕设计，该设计将利用物种的扩散行为返回具有遗传代表性的动物群。使用微卫星标记，我们针对更传统的诱捕方法测试了我们的设计，并确定在我们的空间设计下捕获的动物与使用网格或标准横断面设计捕获的动物相比，相关性较低。我们清楚地表明，在捕获设计中纳入目标物种的生态学（例如散布模式）将改善收获个体之间的遗传差异（通过减少相关性）。这项研究提出了一种实用的方法，可以显着改善潜在的保护结果。这种方法适用于所有具有可预测扩散模式的物种。