Abstract
Given the interest in the conservation of the Mesoamerican scarlet macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera), the Xcaret Park formed an initial reproductive population about 30 years ago, which has progressively grown to a considerable population in captivity. In this work, we focus on the evaluation of the genetic diversity of the captive population, taking two groups into account: its founding (49) and the current breeding individuals (166). The genetic analysis consisted of genotyping six nuclear microsatellite loci that are characterized by their high variability. Tests for all loci revealed a Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in four loci of the founders and in no loci of the breeding groups. The results showed that the genetic variation in the Xcaret population was relatively high (founders He = 0.715 SE = 0.074, breeding pairs He = 0.763 SE = 0.050), with an average polymorphism of 7.5 (4–10) alleles per locus in founders and 8.3 (4–14) in breeding pairs. No significant differences in the evaluated genetic diversity indexes were found between both groups. This indicates that the genetic variability in Xcaret has been maintained, probably due to the high number of pairs and the reproductive management strategy. Bayesian analysis revealed five different genetic lineages present in different proportions in the founders and in the breeding pairs, but no population structure was observed between founders and breeding individuals. The analyzed captive individuals showed levels of genetic diversity comparable to reported values from Ara macao wild populations. These data indicate that the captive population has maintained a similar genetic diversity as the metapopulation in the Mayan Forest and is an important resource for reintroduction projects, some of which began more than five years ago and are still underway.
Highlights
A recommendation made by the Species Survival Committee of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature [1] concerning reintroduction projects mentions the need to include genetic studies, since it is important to try to introduce sufficient genetic variability in the founding individuals of a new population to avoid bottlenecks, greater inbreeding, and possible problems of local adaptation to diseases or environmental changes [2,3]
The Mesoamerican scarlet macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera) is classified as endangered in Mexico [5] because it has disappeared from most of its original distribution, which used to extend from Tamaulipas through Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tabasco and Chiapas, and as far south as Costa Rica [6,7,8]
All samples were confirmed as Ara macao cyanoptera based on mitochondrial DNA
Summary
A recommendation made by the Species Survival Committee of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature [1] concerning reintroduction projects mentions the need to include genetic studies, since it is important to try to introduce sufficient genetic variability in the founding individuals of a new population to avoid bottlenecks, greater inbreeding, and possible problems of local adaptation to diseases or environmental changes [2,3]. In Mexico, only small remnants are left of what were once abundant populations. Experts estimate that this subspecies may be lost forever if no preservation action is taken in the 10 years [11]. We can do more for the conservation of this subspecies by reintroducing it in areas where it can be viable in the mid and long term with the use of captive breeding
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