Genetic characterization of alien species raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Baltic region

Abstract

The raccoon dog (Nyctereute sprocyonoides) is an alien species in Europe that spread rapidly into many European countries and has a significant ecological impact on native ecosystems. The size of the raccoon dog population in Europe varied in different periods, and today this species is widely spread. In many countries raccoon dog is declared as an invasive species and hunting is permitted throughout the year. In this study, we investigated genetic variability, genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships of raccoon dog using mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers. The present data revealed a high level of molecular genetic variation in mtDNA control region and showed that the raccoon dog population is heterogenic and consists of separate maternal lineages. The results of the microsatellites analysis showed a high level of genetic diversity and that a weak population structure exists in raccoon dog populations in Lithuania.