Implications of cytochrome b sequence variation for biogeography and conservation of the northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) of the Alexander Archipelago, Alaska

The Alexander Archipelago of southeast Alaska is a highly fragmented landsc ape that is suspected to support a relatively large number of endemic mamma ls. At least two subspecies of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinu s) have been recognized from the region, the endemic Prince of Wales Island flying squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinus griseifrons, and the Alaska Coast flyi ng squirrel, G. s. zaphaeus. We examined 56 northern flying squirrels from Alaska, Washington State, and Yukon Territory, using the DNA sequence from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene to assess geographic variation. Flying squirrels from Washington were highly divergent (7.3%) from those of Alaska and Yukon Territory. Variation among Alaska and Yukon Territory population s was minimal, but five haplotypes were found. One predominantly "mainland" haplotype was widespread throughout Alaska, one island haplotype was confi ned to nine islands in southeast Alaska ("Prince of Wales complex"), and th ree haplotypes were unique. Flying squirrels of the Prince of Wales complex appear to be neoendemics and descended from a single founder population. M itochondrial variation, although minimal, is consistent with the continued recognition of G. s. griseifrons. Our results, in light of increased habita t fragmentation in southeast Alaska, suggest that molecular data can provid e important base-line information for effective management of insular popul ations.