|
Journal Publications
Wilson, G. A., J.S. Nishi, B.T. Elkin and C.
Strobeck. 2005. Effects of a recent founding event and intrinsic
population dynamics on genetic diversity in an ungulate population.
Conservation Genetics 6:
905-916
(PDF = 274
KB)
Abstract
Maintenance of genetic diversity has recently become a
management goal for a number of species, due to its importance for
present and future population viability. Genetic drift, primarily
through differential
reproductive success and inbreeding, can accelerate the loss of genetic
diversity in recently recovered
populations. We attempt to quantify the consequences of these factors on
the genetic diversity contained in a small, recently founded wood bison
(Bison bison athabascae) population by examining the genetic
variation in this conservation herd, the calves born therein, and its
large source population. The Hook Lake
Wood Bison Recovery Project was initiated to found a disease-free herd
of wood bison containing a
representative amount of the genetic diversity present in the Wood
Buffalo National Park metapopulation.
Levels of diversity in the Hook Lake Wood Bison Recovery Project
founders are higher than in previous
salvage attempts. To examine the effects of differential reproductive
success on this population, we monitored parentage of the calves born in
the Hook Lake Wood Bison Recovery Project for 3 years since the founders
reached sexual maturity. Two of the male founders sired over 90% of the
offspring born in this
population, which has led to a reduction in diversity in their calves.
Monitoring of reproductive success,
and incorporation of selective breeding strategies will be required to
reduce the rate at which genetic
diversity is lost from this small, isolated population. These steps
should occur in other recovery projects,
particularly when a small number of individuals are capable of
dominating reproduction. |
