Molecular genetics and infectious disease in red squirrels on Jersey

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.