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Population Structure of the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit as Determined by Mitochondrial DNA Analysis
Author(s) -
CROUSE AMANDA L.,
HONEYCUTT RODNEY L.,
MCCLEERY ROBERT A.,
FAULHABER CRAIG A.,
PERRY NEIL D.,
LOPEZ ROEL R.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the journal of wildlife management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1937-2817
pISSN - 0022-541X
DOI - 10.2193/2007-207
Subject(s) - mitochondrial dna , endangered species , haplotype , biology , gene flow , marsh , population , clade , evolutionary biology , zoology , ecology , genetic variation , genetics , phylogenetics , gene , allele , demography , wetland , sociology , habitat
We used nucleotide sequence data from a mitochondrial DNA fragment to characterize variation within the endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit ( Sylvilagus palustris hefneri ). We observed 5 unique mitochondrial haplotypes across different sampling sites in the Lower Florida Keys, USA. Based on the frequency of these haplotypes at different geographic locations and relationships among haplotypes, we observed 2 distinct clades or groups of sampling sites (western and eastern clades). These 2 groups showed low levels of gene flow. Regardless of their origin, marsh rabbits from the Lower Florida Keys can be separated into 2 genetically distinct management units, which should be considered prior to implementation of translocations as a means of offsetting recent population declines.