Influence of translocation strategy and mating system on the genetic structure of a newly established population of island ptarmigan

• DOI: 10.1007/s10592-011-0300-3
• Publication Date: 2011-12-08T14:21:47Z
• Authors: Andrew J. Gregory; Robb S. A. Kaler; Thomas J. Prebyl; Brett K. Sandercock; Samantha M. Wisely
• Keywords: Effective population size; Small population size; Minimum viable population; Population fragmentation; Conservation Genetics

Island populations and established by reintroductions are prone to extinction, in part because they vulnerable deterministic stochastic phenomena associated with geographic isolation small population size. As size declines, reduced genetic diversity can result decreased fitness adaptive potential, which may hinder short- or long-term viability. We used 32 microsatellite markers investigate the conservation genetics of a newly Evermann's Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta evermanni) at Agattu Island, western Aleutian Archipelago, Alaska. found low (observed heterozygosity = 0.41, allelic richness 2.2) effective (N e 28.6), but relatively large N /N ratio 0.55, was attributed multiple paternity 80% broods reproductive skew among males (λ 0.29). Moreover, successful breeding pairs were less related each other than random male–female pairs. For efforts based on reintroductions, mating system high rates facilitate retention diversity, thereby reducing potential for inbreeding isolated populations. Our results underscore importance quantifying understanding behavior translocated