Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>)
Understanding how urbanisation and habitat fragmentation influence wildlife is critical for biodiversity conservation. Fragmentation and population isolation can reduce genetic diversity, yet few studies have assessed these genetic impacts in urbanised environments. Eastern grey kangaroos (<i>...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Urban Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/7/257 |
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| author | Elizabeth Brunton Alexis Levengood Aaron Brunton Neil Clarke Graeme Coulson Claire Wimpenny Gabriel Conroy |
| author_facet | Elizabeth Brunton Alexis Levengood Aaron Brunton Neil Clarke Graeme Coulson Claire Wimpenny Gabriel Conroy |
| author_sort | Elizabeth Brunton |
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| description | Understanding how urbanisation and habitat fragmentation influence wildlife is critical for biodiversity conservation. Fragmentation and population isolation can reduce genetic diversity, yet few studies have assessed these genetic impacts in urbanised environments. Eastern grey kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>), widespread across eastern Australia, often inhabit landscapes shaped by urbanisation. Using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from scat and tissue samples, we compared genetic characteristics of kangaroo populations in urban and non-urban areas across three regions. We assessed the influence of habitat isolation on genetic diversity and relatedness at 18 study sites. Overall, urban populations did not show significantly lower genetic diversity than those in less developed areas (<i>p</i> > 0.05; Urban mean <i>H<sub>O</sub></i> = 0.196, Non-urban mean <i>H<sub>O</sub></i> = 0.188). However, populations fully isolated by roads, buildings, and fences exhibited reduced genetic diversity and increased inbreeding. Additionally, significant genetic differences were observed among regions. These findings suggest that while urbanisation alone may not always reduce genetic diversity, complete physical isolation poses greater risks to population genetic health. This study highlights how urban landscape features can shape the genetics of large terrestrial mammals and underscores the need for spatially informed urban planning and management strategies that maintain or restore habitat connectivity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a2bd2b37cf4945da95f481fca8b3fa8f |
| institution | Matheson Library |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Urban Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-a2bd2b37cf4945da95f481fca8b3fa8f2025-07-25T13:38:06ZengMDPI AGUrban Science2413-88512025-07-019725710.3390/urbansci9070257Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>)Elizabeth Brunton0Alexis Levengood1Aaron Brunton2Neil Clarke3Graeme Coulson4Claire Wimpenny5Gabriel Conroy6School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4556, AustraliaSchool of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4556, AustraliaSchool of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4556, AustraliaSchool of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4556, AustraliaSchool of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, AustraliaOffice of Nature Conservation, ACT Government, Dickson, ACT 2602, AustraliaSchool of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4556, AustraliaUnderstanding how urbanisation and habitat fragmentation influence wildlife is critical for biodiversity conservation. Fragmentation and population isolation can reduce genetic diversity, yet few studies have assessed these genetic impacts in urbanised environments. Eastern grey kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>), widespread across eastern Australia, often inhabit landscapes shaped by urbanisation. Using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from scat and tissue samples, we compared genetic characteristics of kangaroo populations in urban and non-urban areas across three regions. We assessed the influence of habitat isolation on genetic diversity and relatedness at 18 study sites. Overall, urban populations did not show significantly lower genetic diversity than those in less developed areas (<i>p</i> > 0.05; Urban mean <i>H<sub>O</sub></i> = 0.196, Non-urban mean <i>H<sub>O</sub></i> = 0.188). However, populations fully isolated by roads, buildings, and fences exhibited reduced genetic diversity and increased inbreeding. Additionally, significant genetic differences were observed among regions. These findings suggest that while urbanisation alone may not always reduce genetic diversity, complete physical isolation poses greater risks to population genetic health. This study highlights how urban landscape features can shape the genetics of large terrestrial mammals and underscores the need for spatially informed urban planning and management strategies that maintain or restore habitat connectivity.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/7/257landscape fragmentationgenetic diversityrelatednessurban wildlifemacropodbarriers |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth Brunton Alexis Levengood Aaron Brunton Neil Clarke Graeme Coulson Claire Wimpenny Gabriel Conroy Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>) Urban Science landscape fragmentation genetic diversity relatedness urban wildlife macropod barriers |
| title | Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>) |
| title_full | Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>) |
| title_fullStr | Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>) |
| title_short | Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>) |
| title_sort | beyond boundaries genetic implications of urbanisation and isolation in eastern grey kangaroos i macropus giganteus i |
| topic | landscape fragmentation genetic diversity relatedness urban wildlife macropod barriers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/7/257 |
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