Captive management and the maintenance of genetic diversity in a vulnerable marsupial, the greater bilby
Emily J. Miller A B F , Mark D. B. Eldridge C , Keith Morris D , Neil Thomas D and Catherine A. Herbert A E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.
B Present address: Sydney Medical School, Queen Elizabeth II Building, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
C Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
D Department of Parks and Wildlife, PO Box 51, Wanneroo, WA 6946, Australia.
E Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: emily.miller@sydney.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 37(2) 170-181 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM14009
Submitted: 29 April 2014 Accepted: 18 March 2015 Published: 22 May 2015
Abstract
The endemic Australian greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is a vulnerable and iconic species. It has declined significantly due to habitat loss, as well as competition and predation from introduced species. Conservation measures include a National Recovery Plan that incorporates several captive breeding programs. Two of these programs were established within 12 months of one another (1997/98), with the same number and sex ratio of founding individuals, but executed different breeding strategies: (1) unmanipulated mating in semi–free range natural habitat versus (2) minimising mean kinship in large enclosures, with the supplementation of new individuals into both populations. This study evaluates the long-term genetic impact of these programs and examines the congruency between the pedigree studbook estimates of diversity and molecular data. Our data demonstrate that genetic diversity was maintained in both populations, with the supplementation of new individuals contributing to the gene pool. The studbook estimates of diversity and inbreeding are not consistent with the microsatellite data and should not solely be relied upon to evaluate the genetic health of captive populations. Our analyses suggest that captive breeding programs may not require costly and intensive management to effectively maintain long-term genetic diversity in a promiscuous species.
Additional keywords: conservation genetics, wildlife management.
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