University of Kent

Siobhan Simpson MSc Student
E-mail: ss757@kent.ac.uk

CV

MSc research entitled "Molecular genetics and infectious disease in red squirrels on Jersey"

Supervisor: Dr Jim Groombridge

Red squirrels are native to much of Europe. However, due to a combination of factors, including habitat loss, competition from the introduced grey squirrel and the effects of disease, primarily squirrel pox, their range is becoming reduced. This situation is of particular concern in the UK where red squirrels are now confined to Scotland, northern England, Wales, islands and small isolated populations elsewhere in England. The red squirrel was introduced to Jersey in the late 1800s, probably from England or France, although the precise origins have not yet been confirmed. Since then, the population has grown and successfully established on the island. This success is likely due to a number of factors including the lack of grey squirrels (therefore no competition or squirrel pox) and provision of food by humans.

Recently, however, evidence has emerged of diseases in the squirrel population on Jersey that are either absent or rarely encountered within other red squirrel populations, including amyloidosis. Due to a high percentage of squirrels on Jersey showing signs of amyloid deposits in their tissues, it is vital to try to establish and understand the causes of this disease. These problems may be due, at least in part, to inbreeding effects stemming from the small number of founder individuals, as well as environmental factors.

The main aims of this research are to determine levels of inbreeding within the squirrel population on Jersey and to examine if levels of inbreeding can be related to disease prevalence. My research therefore includes the following themes:

• From where did the founders of the Jersey squirrel population originate? Answering this question may have management implications if, for example, further reintroductions were to be considered in the future to increase levels of genetic diversity.
  
  
• Do levels of inbreeding vary substantially between individuals within the population? It may be that certain individuals or sub-populations across the island are more inbred than others, which may have important implications for the future management of the population on Jersey.
  
  
• Is the squirrel population on Jersey genetically structured? The current population is fragmented, existing in small pockets of woodland. Determining levels of gene flow between these pockets may provide key information for effective conservation management.
  
  
• Do individuals which are more inbred have a greater prevalence of disease? Addressing this question will be enable us to determine if the population is suffering from inbreeding depression in the form of increased susceptibility to disease.

This research is jointly funded by the Jersey Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Jersey Animal’s Shelter), the States of Jersey Department of Environment and the Jersey Ecology Fund, and forms part of the JSPCA Red Squirrel Disease Monitoring Project.