Mountain Lion Ecological Genetics

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Puma

Cougar

Catamount

Puma concolor

...the mountain lion...

and same species as Florida panther

We use genetic tools to study the ecology and health of mountain lion (Puma concolor, also called puma, cougar, and same species as Florida panther) populations of the past, present, and future.

Samples from mountain lions collected in this decade and the past will help us develop predictive models and project future trends for genetic diversity. We have developed puma-specific DNA markers and an extensive DNA data base for these projects. These tools also allow us to detect and study kin relationships among mountain lions (mother-cub, aunt-nephew, grandparent-cub, etc) to learn more about these very special mammals.

• Development of new DNA tools for mountain lion ecology:
  • Kurushima J., J. Well, J. Collins, H.B.Ernest. 2006. Development of 21 microsatellite loci for puma (Puma concolor) ecology and forensics. Molecular Ecology. 6:1260-1262.
    
• Determination of genetic diversity and population structure:
  • Ernest H.B., V.C. Bleich, B.P. May, S.Stiver, S. Torres, W.M. Boyce. 2003. Population Genetic Structure of Mountain Lions in California. Conservation Genetics. 4(3): 353-366.
• Use of noninvasive DNA techniques to survey for mountain lion presence:
  • Ernest H.B., E.S. Rubin, W.M. Boyce. 2002. Fecal DNA analysis and risk assessment of mountain lion predation of bighorn sheep. Journal of Wildlife Management 66(1) 75-85.
• Identification and ecology of mountain lion predation of endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep:
  • Ernest, H.B., M.C.T. Penedo, B.P. May, M. Syvanen, and W.M. Boyce. 2000. Molecular tracking of mountain lions in the Yosemite Valley region in California: genetic analysis using microsatellites and fecal DNA. Molecular Ecology 9:433-441.
  • Web sites with information on bighorn sheep:
    • Peninsular Bighorn Sheep
    • Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep
• Forensic applications:
  • H.B. Ernest, W.M. Boyce. 2000. DNA Identification of mountain lions involved in livestock predation and public safety incidents. Proceedings of the 19th Vertebrate Pest Conference. T. P. Salmon and A. C. Crabb, Eds. Published at the University of California, Davis. 290-29
• Information on mountain lions in California:
  • Brown S.K., H.B. Ernest. 2007. Mountain lion ecological genetics. Wild Cat News. June. www.cougarnet.org
  • Ernest H.B. DNA analysis for mountain lion conservation. Outdoor California. May-June. 61(3)16-19. Invited paper. 2000.
  • Ernest H.B. DNA sampling and research techniques. Outdoor California. May-June. 61(3)20-21. Invited paper. 2000.
    
  • Living with California Mountain Lions
  • Mountain Lion Foundation
    
  • UC Davis Wildlife Health Center Mountain Lion web page

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