Using DNA to Identify the Source of Invasive Mongooses,
\u3ci\u3eHerpestes auropunctatus\u3c/i\u3e (Carnivora: Herpestidae)
Captured on Kaua‘i, Hawaiian Islands
Two small Indian mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus) were live-captured in 2012 at separate locations on the Hawaiian Island of Kaua\u27i, which was previously considered to be free of this invasive species. Genotypes from these two individuals were compared to genotypes of H. auropunctatus from the islands of Hawai\u27i (n =39), O\u27ahu (n =91), Maui (n = 39), and Moloka\u27i (n = 19) to determine the island of origin of the Kaua\u27i individuals. Genotypes were generated from each individual using five microsatellite loci. Genetic clustering was estimated by Bayesian inference of spatial clustering of individuals and clustering of groups of individuals. Both analyses separated the samples into three distinct genetic clusters (K = 3). Kaua\u27i individuals consistently formed a single cluster with individuals from O\u27ahu, whereas Hawai\u27i and Maui formed a second cluster, and Moloka\u27i was the third cluster. Thus, we conclude that the origin of two H. auropunctatus captured on Kaua\u27I was O\u27ahu. All three genetic clusters showed evidence of transportation of mongooses between islands, indicating that sampled islands in the archipelago are capable of acting as both donors and receivers of mongooses
