CONSERVATION OF THE WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL IN GRIFFITH PARK THROUGH NON-INVASIVE GENETIC SAMPLING WITH MTDNA AND MICROSATELLITE ANALYSIS

Christopher L DeMarco; California State University, Los Angeles; cdemarc@calstatela.edu; Andres, Aguilar, Elizabeth, Torres, Dan, Cooper, Alan, Muchlinski

Local extinction of Western gray squirrels (Sciurus griseus) (WGSs) is due to loss or fragmentation of their habitat, potential competition between Eastern fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), and other anthropogenic disturbances. To evaluate how these factors affect a population of WGSs in Griffith Park (GP), we are recording the species' distribution and characterizing their genetic diversity. The level of genetic diversity in the WGS population in GP is compared to that of populations in four other areas: the Santa Monica Mountains (SMMs), Monrovia Canyon (MVC), Bonelli Park (BP), and Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens (RSABG). Hairtubes were constructed and deployed in all five regions to collect hair samples of WGSs. DNA was extracted from those samples and by using mtDNA and microsatellite markers, the genetic diversity is being determined. Thus far, the haplotype found in GP is also found in BP and RSABG but not in the SMMs. A haplotype found in the SMMs was also found in BP. Preliminary genotyping of individuals was successful using 10 microsatellite loci. Continued sampling to assess the level of genetic diversity will allow predictions regarding the viability of the population of WGSs in GP and will reveal important implications for their conservation.