PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

Reduced genetic variability in a captive-bred population of the endangered Hume's pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae, Hume 1881) revealed by microsatellite genotyping and D-loop sequencing.

  • Jitmat Thintip,
  • Worapong Singchat,
  • Syed Farhan Ahmad,
  • Nattakan Ariyaraphong,
  • Narongrit Muangmai,
  • Wiyada Chamchumroon,
  • Klinsak Pitiwong,
  • Warong Suksavate,
  • Sutee Duangjai,
  • Prateep Duengkae,
  • Kornsorn Srikulnath

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256573
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 8
p. e0256573

Abstract

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Captive breeding programs are crucial to ensure the survival of endangered species and ultimately to reintroduce individuals into the wild. However, captive-bred populations can also deteriorate due to inbreeding depression and reduction of genetic variability. We genotyped a captive population of 82 individuals of the endangered Hume's pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae, Hume 1881) at the Doi Tung Wildlife Breeding Center to assess the genetic consequences associated with captive breeding. Analysis of microsatellite loci and mitochondrial D-loop sequences reveal significantly reduced genetic differentiation and a shallow population structure. Despite the low genetic variability, no bottleneck was observed but 12 microsatellite loci were informative in reflecting probable inbreeding. These findings provide a valuable source of knowledge to maximize genetic variability and enhance the success of future conservation plans for captive and wild populations of Hume's pheasant.