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Population Structure of the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit as Determined by Mitochondrial DNA Analysis |
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| Authors: | AMANDA L CROUSE RODNEY L HONEYCUTT ROBERT A MCCLEERY CRAIG A FAULHABER NEIL D PERRY ROEL R LOPEZ |
| Institution: | 1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4461, USA;2. Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA 90263-4321, USA;3. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2258, USA
E-mail: bmcc@tamu.edu;4. Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5230, USA;5. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Cedar City, UT 84270-0606, USA;6. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2258, USA |
| Abstract: | ABSTRACT 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. |
| Keywords: | Florida Keys genetic marsh rabbit mitochondrial DNA population structure Sylvilagus palustris hefneri |