Genetic rescue of an inbred captive population of the critically endangered Puerto Rican crested toad (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Peltophryne lemur</Emphasis>) by mixing lineages |
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Authors: | Kaela B Beauclerc Bob Johnson Bradley N White |
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Institution: | (1) Natural Resources DNA Profiling and Forensic Centre, Trent University, DNA Building, 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada;(2) Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Ave., Scarborough, ON, M1B 5K7, Canada |
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Abstract: | The Puerto Rican crested toad (Peltophryne lemur) is currently composed of a single wild population on the south coast of Puerto Rico and two captive populations founded
by animals from the northern and southern coasts. The main factors contributing to its decline are habitat loss, inundation
of breeding ponds during storms, and impacts of invasive species. Recovery efforts have been extensive, involving captive
breeding and reintroductions, habitat restoration, construction of breeding ponds, and public education. To guide future conservation
efforts, genetic variation and differentiation were assessed for the two captive colonies and the remaining wild population
using the mitochondrial control region and six novel microsatellite loci. Only two moderately divergent mitochondrial haplotypes
were found, with one fixed in each of the southern and northern lineages. Moderate genetic variation exists for microsatellite
loci in all three groups. The captive southern population has not diverged substantially from the wild population at microsatellite
loci (F
ST = 0.03), whereas there is little allelic overlap between the northern and southern lineages at five of six loci (F
ST > 0.3). Despite this differentiation, they are no more divergent than many populations of other amphibian species. As the
northern breeding colony may not remain viable due to its small size and inbred nature, it is recommended that a third breeding
colony be established in which northern and southern individuals are combined. This will preserve any northern adaptive traits
that may exist, and provide animals for release in the event that the pure northern lineage becomes extirpated. |
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