Biochemical Genetics of Wild, Semi-Wild, and Game-Farm Northern Bobwhites

Abstract

Horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis of selected blood proteins was used to determine levels and patterns of genetic differentiation between wild and game-farm northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) and to observe genetic expression in first and second filial (F, and F2) crosses. Assays of 18 enzymes and nonenzymatic proteins provided information on 19 presumptive genetic loci. Seven loci exhibited variation, though only 4 were sufficiently variable to be considered polymorphic (0.95-frequency criterion). Wild bobwhites expressed 21.1% polymorphism, compared to 10.5% in game-farm quail. Observed heterozygosity values were slightly higher in wild (0.050) than in game-farm (0.048) birds; genetic distance between the 2 types was 0.015. Although chronically poor survival of game-farm birds has been partially attributed to an inadequate genome, electrophoretically detectable genetic variation was not markedly deficient in this group. First filial offspring from a wild x game-farm cross possessed greater genetic variability than game-farm stock and were genetically more similar to wild quail. Variability was reduced in a F2 generation that was genetically similar to game-farm birds. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 52(1):138-144 Wildlife management has traditionally emphasized the manipulation of habitat and/or population density and structure (Giles 1978) but has minimized potentially useful genetic considerations (Smith et al. 1976). One area of management for which genetics has obvious application is the artificial propagation of game birds. Although not regarded as a viable means of augmenting natural populations (Kabat and Thompson 1963), stocking programs can provide recreational benefits, especially where opportunities for conventional hunting are limited (State of Ill. 1978). This management option is hampered, however, by poor survivability and lack of natural behavior characteristic of artificially-propagated birds, especially northern bobwhites (Buechner 1950, Klimstra 1975). Wildlife managers generally assume that in addition to disadvantages associated with artificial rearing, these birds inherently lack attributes needed for survival because of genetic deficiencies incurred from captive perpetuity and possibly inbreeding (Backs 1982). As a partial remedy, game agencies periodically attempt to infuse wild genes into captive stocks (Nestler and Studholme 1945). Despite the availability of electrophoretic techniques, genetic differentiation of wild and game-farm quail has not been documented, nor has the utility of introducing wild breeders into captive populations to improve the genome. We examined these areas by comparing genetic variability and levels f differentiation between wild and game-farm bobwhites, and describing the genetic expression i F, and F2 crosses. This investigation was conducted by the Coo erative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and was partially financed by the Illinois Department of C servation as part of Federal Aid Project W-93-R. The support and cooperation of F. Kringer and M. S. Kern of that agency are acknowledged. A. Woolf, J. W. Bickham, N. J. Silvy, and S. M. Carr reviewed the manuscript.