Quantifying and managing the loss of genetic variation in a free-ranging population of takahe through the use of pedigrees

Pedigree analysis has clear benefits for the genetic management of threatened populations through the evaluation of inbreeding, population structure and genetic diversity. The use of pedigrees is usually restricted to captive populations and few examples exist of their exclusive use in managing free-ranging populations. One such example is the management of the takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri), a highly endangered, flightless New Zealand rail at risk from introduced mammalian predators and habitat loss. During the 1980’s and 90’s, as part of the takahe recovery programme, birds were translocated from the sole remnant population in Fiordland to four offshore islands from which introduced predators had been eradicated. The subsequent “island” population, now numbering 83 and thought to be at carrying capacity, has been closely monitored since founding. Detailed breeding records allow us to analyse the island pedigree, which is up to 7 generations deep. Gene-drop analysis indicated that 7.5% of genetic diversity has been lost over the relatively short timeframe since founding (2.1 generations on average; total genetic founders = 31) due to both a failure to equalise founder representation early on and subsequent disproportionate breeding success (founder equivalents = 12.5; founder genome equivalents = 6.6). A high prevalence of close inbreeding will have also impacted on genetic diversity. Predictions from pedigree modelling suggest that 90% genetic diversity will be maintained for only 12 years, but by introducing a low level of immigration from the Fiordland population and permitting the population to grow, 90% GD could be maintained over the next 100 years. More generally, the results demonstrate the value of maintaining pedigrees for wild populations, especially in the years immediately after a translocation event.     

HETEROMORPHISM FOR A HIGHLY REPEATED SEQUENCE IN THE NEW ZEALAND FROG LEIOPELMA HOCHSTETTERI

A satellite DNA sequence, Lhl, was cloned from the New Zealand endemic frog Leiopelma hochstetteri. Large tandem arrays of Lh1 were localized by in situ hybridization to the long arm of a small telocentric autosome in some individuals, but these arrays were absent from other individuals. Lh1 is also present in varying amounts on some supernumerary chromosomes in some individuals. Heteromorphism for the presence of Lh1 exists in two populations that have been separated by a sea channel since the end of the Pleistocene, indicating that the heteromorphism either has arisen repeatedly or has persisted for at least 10,000 years. Individuals lacking Lh1 thus appear to be at no significant selective disadvantage. The variation in Lh1 copy number probably results from its interstitial chromosomal location, which exposes it to more frequent unequal crossovers than the pericentromeric or telocentric locations of most satellite DNA. Lh1 may be parasitic or simply inert junk, but in either case it may be deleted or dispersed throughout the rest of the genome through unequal crossing over.     

Natural and human-mediated factors in the recovery and subsequent expansion of the Purple swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio L. (Rallidae) in the Iberian Peninsula

Instances of range contraction and population decline in bird species in Europe are more common than cases of recovery following decline. Here we report on the recovery and expansion processes of an endangered bird species in Europe, the purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio L., Rallidae), with special reference to the Iberian Peninsula, its main distribution area in Western Europe. After a drastic decline during the first half of the 20th century, which restricted its range to a few areas in southern Spain, the Iberian population has recovered. Currently, the species occurs in a range similar to the one it had at the beginning of the 20th century, and has even colonized new areas. These processes seem to be the result of both human-mediated (effective protection of the species and suitable habitats; success of reintroduction programs as expansion focuses of birds colonizing nearby and distant regions [>300 km] wetlands) and natural factors (inter- and intra-seasonal cycles of wet and dry years). Thus, we found a significant relationship between rainfall and bird abundance and productivity, suggesting that such inter- and intra-seasonal cycles may have significant effects on demographic parameters that could be related to the expansion process. Finally the species shows remarkable adaptability, as proven by data on breeding success in recently colonized areas and the ability to breed shortly after reintroduction. We hypothesize that saturation of breeding habitats in established areas, a reasonable habitat continuity and favorable environmental conditions, and protection have facilitated the dispersion of birds.     

Triploidy in Hochstetter's frog,Leiopelma hochstetteri,from New Zealand

Abstract

Autotriploidy is described in a female of the endemic New Zealand frog Leiopelma hochstetteri. This frog was found to have 3n=33 chromosomes plus 2 supernumerary chromosomes. All the chromosomes in the karyotype of this species contained C-band heterochromatin at the centromeres. A prominent C-band was found to be associated with a secondary constriction on chromosome no. 7. The supernumerary chromosomes in this species appear to be mitotically stable and contain C-band heterochromatin at the centromeres. From the limited data presently available, the triploid individual may have resulted from the fertilisation of a diploid egg produced when the second meiotic division had been suppressed.     

Effects of different base populations on selection response in Drosophila

Of two laboratory strains of Drosophila melanogaster used in this study, the +3 strain had slightly higher mean abdominal bristle number and estimated heritability of this character than the Oregon‐R. Their F₁ hybrid exhibited 5 % heterosis. Fourteen generations of the two original strains and the F₃ of the hybrid were selected for high and low numbers of abdominal bristles on the 4th and 5th sternites, at a selection intensity of 20%. A mass‐mated unselected control was maintained for each population. The +3 population responded considerably more to selection for low numbers of bristles than high, and the Oregon‐R population showed a similar, though less marked, tendency; the Crossbred population responded more strongly to selection for high numbers. Except for the Crossbred high selection line, all lines declined in response rate, phenotypic variance, and realised heritability. The average realised heritability of the Oregon‐R and +3 high and low selection lines over 14 selection generations fell short of their predicted base population heritabilities. The deviation from the predicted was particularly pronounced with selection for high bristle number in the +3 line.     

Integrated control of apple pests in New Zealand 6. Incidence of European red mite,Panonychus ulmi (Koch), and its predators

Mite relationships were investigated in an orchard near Nelson from 1962 to 1974 in conjunction with a long‐term experiment into integrated control of apple pests. From 42% to 57% of the total winter eggs of Panonychus ulmi hatched over a period of 48–53 days from the last week of September until mid November. The main hatch—from 10% to 90%—took 19–20 days. Five generations occurred in each season, from October to March, although some females laid winter eggs from mid January if leaf condition became poor. Insect predators found were Stethorus bifidus, Sejanus albisignata, Arthrocnodax sp., and Xylapothrips sp. The mite Typhlodromus pyri (Phytoseiidae), the most important predator, had up to 5 generations from October to March; some females ceased to feed or oviposit from mid February onwards, and took on the characteristics of the overwintering diapause phase. With the integrated programme based on ryania, a favourable balance of P. ulmi and T. pyri was established after an initial outbreak of P. ulmi in the 1st or 2nd season, and was maintained until 1970–71, when P. ulmi outbreaks occurred on several cultivars in a season marked by hot, dry conditions in November and December. Natural control was restored the next year except on cy. Delicious, where P. ulmi remained in greater numbers for several years. With a complete commercial spray programme from 1962 to 1967 P. ulmi became resistant to all acaricides used; with the regular azinphos‐methyl programme and no acaricides in 1967–68 a population of T. pyri resistant to this insecticide emerged. The approximately × 10 resistance level did not increase appreciably, so the azinphos‐methyl dosage was reduced from 0.05% to 0.025% to allow greater survival. Several hot, dry summers followed, and commercial control of P. ulmi by T. pyri did not occur until 1973–74. A programme of low‐dosage carbaryl allowed T. pyri and S. albisignata to establish in fair numbers, but control of P. ulmi was not achieved. Experiments with mineral oils and cyhexatin have shown them to have some potential for inclusion against P. ulmi in future integrated programmes.     

Low genetic diversity and small population size of Takahe Porphyrio hochstetteri on European arrival in New Zealand

The rediscovery of the Takahe Porphyrio hochstetteri in 1948 in the remote mountains of Fiordland, New Zealand, has been described as one of the greatest moments in ornithological history. The subsequent management of the population has become a model for avian recovery programmes, yet questions still remain regarding the population size at the time of, and prior to, its rediscovery. We used 20 microsatellite markers to genotype samples of the three surviving museum specimens (1849–1898) collected prior to the initial declaration of extinction to estimate levels of genetic diversity and effective population size. These estimates were compared with equivalent estimates from DNA samples of three specimens preserved at the time of rediscovery (1949) and with 20 contemporary samples. Using rarefaction simulations to account for the limited sample sizes, the results suggest that only slightly more genetic diversity (allelic diversity and numbers of polymorphic loci) existed in the earliest Takahe sampled and that levels of genetic diversity at the time of rediscovery were very similar to those today. Effective population size estimates showed a similar pattern. Contemporary samples from a widespread congener to Takahe, the Pukeko Porphyrio porphyrio, showed consistently higher levels of genetic diversity and greater effective population size, even after equivalent rarefaction to the same small sample sizes available for Takahe. It is likely that the population size of Takahe in Fiordland at the time of European arrivals in the 1800s was similar to its current size. These results provide molecular support for the hypothesis that Takahe were common throughout most coastal and eastern parts of the South Island of New Zealand before being hunted to extinction in these regions by early Maori, and persisted as a relatively small and isolated population in Fiordland where they may never have been very common. This is in marked contrast to other New Zealand endemic birds found in Fiordland, such as the Kakapo Strigops habroptilus and several forest passerines, which remained relatively numerous until the time of European arrival before undergoing rapid declines thereafter.