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Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity in fragmented South African buffalo populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2001

Colleen O'Ryan
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Cape Town Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
Eric H. Harley
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Cape Town Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
Michael W. Bruford
Affiliation:
Conservation Genetics Group, Institute of Zoology, London NW1 4RY, UK
Mark Beaumont
Affiliation:
Conservation Genetics Group, Institute of Zoology, London NW1 4RY, UK
Robert K. Wayne
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
Michael I. Cherry
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland 7602, South Africa
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Abstract

Genetic variation was measured in 105 African buffalo from four populations in South Africa to investigate the effects of habitat fragmentation. Levels of heterozygosity, allelic diversity and genetic differentiation among populations were quantified using seven polymorphic microsatellite markers. There was a significant correlation between the amount of genetic variation and population size, and differentiation was detected among all populations measured by FST and RST. We used likelihood analysis to infer the effective population sizes of each population and to determine whether the fragmented populations were historically differentiated from one another. The genetic estimates of census size were consistent with historical records, and no historical genetic differentiation could be inferred in the original population before fragmentation. These results are discussed in the light of conservation management of fragmented buffalo populations, particularly where natural gene flow is no longer possible.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1998 The Zoological Society of London

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