Genetic Analyses of Wild Populations of Hawaiian Geese Using DNA Fingerprinting
Rave EH. 1995. Genetic Analyses of Wild Populations of Hawaiian Geese Using DNA Fingerprinting. The Condor. 97(1):82-90
DNA fingerprinting was used to compare levels of genetic variation among 75 wild Hawaiian Geese, or Nene (Branta sandvicensis), from six populations on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai and between the six wild populations and a captive colony of 29 Nene. Mantel tests were used to determine differences in similarity coefficient distributions (amount of genetic similarity among individuals within each population) among wild Nene and between wild and captive Nene. Nene from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii had the lowest similarity coefficient distribution, whereas Nene on Kauai had the highest. Captive birds had an intermediate similarity coefficient distribution when compared to wild populations. No unique DNA fingerprint fragments were found in wild birds when compared to captive birds. Successful recruitment of migrants might have decreased similarity at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, whereas inbreeding and captive-release techniques might have increased similarity on Kauai. Varying levels of inbreeding or fixation by drift might explain differences in similarity coefficient distributions between wild and captive populations.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Rave, Elizabeth
- Units
- HALE , HAVO
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, DNA fingerprinting, Genetics, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park HI, Island of Hawai`i HI, Nene (Branta sandvicensis)