Study lead Dr Melissa Marr, from the University of Edinburgh, said the study was the first to use “whole genomes” to study Scotland’s red squirrels.
Samples for the study were sourced from the red squirrel disease surveillance programme at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, which has been analysing red squirrel mortality across Scotland for 20 years.
Worryingly low levels of genetic diversity make Scotland’s red squirrels especially vulnerable to disease, a study has shown.
The study team also included scientists from Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and National Museums Scotland (NMS), which provided additional samples for the study.
The study saw researchers analyse the entire genetic code of 106 red squirrels from across Scotland and Formby in north-west England.
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