Island populations face a higher extinction risk than mainland ones due to their smaller population sizes, limited genetic diversity, and increased vulnerability to environmental changes and stochastic events. The Isle of Wight red squirrel population is culturally and economically significant, being the largest remaining population in Southern England and genetically distinct from European populations. We used a multidiscipli...

Island populations may have a higher extinction risk due to reduced genetic diversity and need to be managed effectively in order to reduce the risk of biodiversity loss. The Eurasian red squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris ) in the south of England only survive on three islands (the Isle of Wight, Brownsea and Furzey islands), with the Isle of Wight harbouring the largest population in the region. Fourteen microsatellites were used...