Genetic evidence to inform management of rare genetic variants and gene flow: Balancing the conservation of the rare “Spirit bear” allele and population genetic diversity across a complex landscape
Abstract Incorporating genetic considerations into wildlife management can require balancing the conservation of rare genetic variants with the maintenance of gene flow. One system illustrating such trade‐offs is coastal British Columbia, Canada, where black bears (Ursus americanus) can carry a gene...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:50807a0fcb01412bb6cef5d0daf53462 2023-05-15T16:16:47+02:00 Genetic evidence to inform management of rare genetic variants and gene flow: Balancing the conservation of the rare “Spirit bear” allele and population genetic diversity across a complex landscape Lauren H. Henson Christina Service Astrid Vik Stronen Jason Moody William Housty Donald Reece Bridgett vonHoldt Chris T. Darimont 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12769 https://doaj.org/article/50807a0fcb01412bb6cef5d0daf53462 EN eng Wiley https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12769 https://doaj.org/toc/2578-4854 2578-4854 doi:10.1111/csp2.12769 https://doaj.org/article/50807a0fcb01412bb6cef5d0daf53462 Conservation Science and Practice, Vol 4, Iss 11, Pp n/a-n/a (2022) black bear population genetic structure conservation genetics landscape genetics Ecology QH540-549.5 General. Including nature conservation geographical distribution QH1-199.5 article 2022 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12769 2022-12-30T22:45:14Z Abstract Incorporating genetic considerations into wildlife management can require balancing the conservation of rare genetic variants with the maintenance of gene flow. One system illustrating such trade‐offs is coastal British Columbia, Canada, where black bears (Ursus americanus) can carry a genetic variant responsible for white‐coated “Spirit bears.” We examined population genetic structure, diversity, and gene flow using 22 microsatellite loci for 357 individuals collected over a 23,500 km2 area from a long‐term noninvasive bear monitoring collaboration among the Gitga'at, Kitasoo/Xai'xais, Nuxalk, Haíɫzaqv, and Wuikinuxv First Nations and partnering scientists. We found broad‐ (two groups) and fine‐scale (eight groups) population structures. At the finer scale, three islands formed unique genetic groups and four genetic groups showed heterozygote deficiency, including two populations containing Spirit bear alleles. We additionally created effective estimation of migration surfaces and found that breaks among genetic groups and areas of lower than average migration aligned with wide waterways (>2 km). Given the apparent isolation of island groups, heterozygote deficiencies, and the distribution of the rare Spirit bear allele, we provide recommendations to prevent the loss of Spirit bear allele carriers and individuals contributing genetic diversity to isolated, genetically depauperate groups. More broadly, we highlight the value of locally led, fine‐scale genetic monitoring for wildlife management. Article in Journal/Newspaper First Nations Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles British Columbia ENVELOPE(-125.003,-125.003,54.000,54.000) Canada Conservation Science and Practice 4 11 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
black bear population genetic structure conservation genetics landscape genetics Ecology QH540-549.5 General. Including nature conservation geographical distribution QH1-199.5 |
spellingShingle |
black bear population genetic structure conservation genetics landscape genetics Ecology QH540-549.5 General. Including nature conservation geographical distribution QH1-199.5 Lauren H. Henson Christina Service Astrid Vik Stronen Jason Moody William Housty Donald Reece Bridgett vonHoldt Chris T. Darimont Genetic evidence to inform management of rare genetic variants and gene flow: Balancing the conservation of the rare “Spirit bear” allele and population genetic diversity across a complex landscape |
topic_facet |
black bear population genetic structure conservation genetics landscape genetics Ecology QH540-549.5 General. Including nature conservation geographical distribution QH1-199.5 |
description |
Abstract Incorporating genetic considerations into wildlife management can require balancing the conservation of rare genetic variants with the maintenance of gene flow. One system illustrating such trade‐offs is coastal British Columbia, Canada, where black bears (Ursus americanus) can carry a genetic variant responsible for white‐coated “Spirit bears.” We examined population genetic structure, diversity, and gene flow using 22 microsatellite loci for 357 individuals collected over a 23,500 km2 area from a long‐term noninvasive bear monitoring collaboration among the Gitga'at, Kitasoo/Xai'xais, Nuxalk, Haíɫzaqv, and Wuikinuxv First Nations and partnering scientists. We found broad‐ (two groups) and fine‐scale (eight groups) population structures. At the finer scale, three islands formed unique genetic groups and four genetic groups showed heterozygote deficiency, including two populations containing Spirit bear alleles. We additionally created effective estimation of migration surfaces and found that breaks among genetic groups and areas of lower than average migration aligned with wide waterways (>2 km). Given the apparent isolation of island groups, heterozygote deficiencies, and the distribution of the rare Spirit bear allele, we provide recommendations to prevent the loss of Spirit bear allele carriers and individuals contributing genetic diversity to isolated, genetically depauperate groups. More broadly, we highlight the value of locally led, fine‐scale genetic monitoring for wildlife management. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Lauren H. Henson Christina Service Astrid Vik Stronen Jason Moody William Housty Donald Reece Bridgett vonHoldt Chris T. Darimont |
author_facet |
Lauren H. Henson Christina Service Astrid Vik Stronen Jason Moody William Housty Donald Reece Bridgett vonHoldt Chris T. Darimont |
author_sort |
Lauren H. Henson |
title |
Genetic evidence to inform management of rare genetic variants and gene flow: Balancing the conservation of the rare “Spirit bear” allele and population genetic diversity across a complex landscape |
title_short |
Genetic evidence to inform management of rare genetic variants and gene flow: Balancing the conservation of the rare “Spirit bear” allele and population genetic diversity across a complex landscape |
title_full |
Genetic evidence to inform management of rare genetic variants and gene flow: Balancing the conservation of the rare “Spirit bear” allele and population genetic diversity across a complex landscape |
title_fullStr |
Genetic evidence to inform management of rare genetic variants and gene flow: Balancing the conservation of the rare “Spirit bear” allele and population genetic diversity across a complex landscape |
title_full_unstemmed |
Genetic evidence to inform management of rare genetic variants and gene flow: Balancing the conservation of the rare “Spirit bear” allele and population genetic diversity across a complex landscape |
title_sort |
genetic evidence to inform management of rare genetic variants and gene flow: balancing the conservation of the rare “spirit bear” allele and population genetic diversity across a complex landscape |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2022 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12769 https://doaj.org/article/50807a0fcb01412bb6cef5d0daf53462 |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-125.003,-125.003,54.000,54.000) |
geographic |
British Columbia Canada |
geographic_facet |
British Columbia Canada |
genre |
First Nations |
genre_facet |
First Nations |
op_source |
Conservation Science and Practice, Vol 4, Iss 11, Pp n/a-n/a (2022) |
op_relation |
https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12769 https://doaj.org/toc/2578-4854 2578-4854 doi:10.1111/csp2.12769 https://doaj.org/article/50807a0fcb01412bb6cef5d0daf53462 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12769 |
container_title |
Conservation Science and Practice |
container_volume |
4 |
container_issue |
11 |
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1766002630004310016 |