Pine Marten DNA

DNA from museums is being used to assess the possible origins of pine martens in the British Isles, and to provide key information for appropriate conservation action for this struggling species in England and Wales.

Following historical habitat loss and persecution, pine marten populations in Scotland and Ireland are beginning to recover, but the situation in England and Wales, where pine martens were once also common, is less than rosy. From time to time pine marten evidence crops up in parts of England and Wales in the form of road casualties, sightings by members of the public, and scats (droppings) found during organised surveys. However, debate rages as to where these animals have come from.

Some argue that the current pine marten ‘populations’ are the result of escaped or covertly released animals, while others suggest that they represent the last remaining descendents of relict populations, clinging on to survival in a hostile environment. Distinguishing between these two alternatives is crucial, especially when deciding on practical steps for their conservation, and an exciting collaborative project between The Vincent Wildlife Trust, The Waterford Institute of Technology and various museums nationally aims to do just that.

By comparing the genetic type (the haplotype) of samples found recently ‘in the field’, with those collected historically and housed in museums and other collections, progress can be made in determining their origins. Put simply, if the elusive animals out there today are the direct descendents of the historical pine marten populations once present across our forested land then historical and recent samples would be very likely to be of the same or a similar genetic haplotype; if not, we would expect to find quite large genetic differences.

Through sampling of their specimens, Kendal museum, along with other collections nationally, are collaborating in this exciting and important work. Although the results are not yet in, an obvious conclusion we can make at this stage is the utility and importance of historical collections to current conservation problems.

Neil Jordan
Pine Marten Project Manager
The Vincent Wildlife Trust

Click here to see how you can help the Pine Marten

 Share