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Captive breeding, reintroduction, and the conservation genetics of black and white ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegata variegata
Author(s) -
Wyner Yael M.,
Amato George,
DeSalle Rob
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-294x.1999.00815.x
Subject(s) - biology , lemur , population , conservation genetics , zoology , captive breeding , mtdna control region , mitochondrial dna , effective population size , population genetics , ecology , microsatellite , endangered species , genetic variation , genetics , demography , genotype , habitat , gene , primate , haplotype , allele , sociology
A character‐based phylogenetic species concept approach was used to examine conservation unit status for three wild populations of black and white ruffed lemurs, Varecia vareigata variegata , from Betampona ( N = 3), Manombo ( N = 6), and Ranomafana ( N = 14), Madagascar. Population aggregation analysis was performed on 548 bp from the control region (D‐loop) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Twenty‐one diagnostic sites were found to differentiate the Betampona (northern) population from the Manombo/Ranomafana (southern) populations. Additionally, individuals from the North American captive population ( N = 11) and from Parc Ivoloina, Madagascar ( N = 6) were examined for the same mtDNA fragment. The captive animals more closely resembled the southern populations and the Parc Ivoloina animals were more similar to the northern population. However, the inclusion of these ex situ animals reduced the number of diagnostic sites differentiating the northern and southern populations. Our genetic data were used to assess the ongoing management strategy for reintroducing individuals into the Betampona population and for introducing new founders into the ex situ population. This study demonstrates the utility of combining genetic information with a consideration of conservation priorities in evaluating the implementation of management strategies.