Genetics of brown bears in northern Europe

Abstract

From the dawn of wildlife genetics, brown bears in Scandinavia have been studied using molecular genetic methods and hence have been substantial in the development of these methods, which are now the gold standard in DNA-based monitoring of many wildlife species. This chapter introduces the constantly evolving field of DNA-based assessments to monitor and to study the history of brown bears. Genetic studies enable us to understand better past processes, such as the recolonisation after the last Ice Age, and present status, such as migration, and other factors influencing brown bear populations in the north of Europe. Brown bear, genetic structure, mitochondrial DNA, noninvasive genetic sampling, phylo-geography, population monitoring, Ursus arctos, Y chromosome

Genetics of brown bears in northern Europe