Captive breeding, reintroduction, and the conservation genetics of black and white ruffed lemurs, Varecia variegata variegata

Abstract

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.

Mitochondrial DNA Genetic Diversity of Black Muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons), An Endangered Species Endemic to China

“…Another common question associated with small populations is inbreeding depression (Wyner et al, 1999;Mauget et al, 2001). A recent observation showed that some inbreeding in the population was caused by improper management (Wu et al, 2003).…”

Genetic Analysis of the Indri Reveals No Evidence of Distinct Subspecies

“…For all samples, we amplified the following regions of the mitochondrial genome: the displacement loop or mitochondrial control region (D-loop) (Baker et al 1993;Wyner et al 1999) and the PAST fragment (Pastorini et al 2000) consisting of the cytochrome oxidase subunit III gene (COIII); NADHdehydrogenase subunits 3, 4 L, and 4 (ND3, ND4L and ND4); as well as the tRNA Leu genes. We amplified the D-loop and PAST fragments using 50 ng of genomic DNA under the following conditions: 94°C for 30 s, 47°C (D-loop) and 50°C (PAST) for 45 s, and 72°C for 45 s for 34 cycles.…”

Rapid Survey and Assessment of the Northern Sportive Lemur,Lepilemur septentrionalis, in Northern Madagascar

“…From these samples, the displacement loop or control region of mitochondrial DNA (530-553 base pairs) was ampliet al 1993;Wyner et al 1999) under the conditions described in other studies (Louis et al 2006;Ramaromilanto et al 2009). The samples were electrophoresed on a 1.2% agarose gel to verify the PCR product -tase (EXOSAP; Silva et al 2001).…”