Rapid growth and genetic diversity retention in an isolated reintroduced black bear population in the central appalachians

摘要: Animal reintroductions are important tools of wildlife management to restore species their historical range, and they can also create unique opportunities study population dynamics genetics from founder events. We used non-invasive hair sampling in a systematic, closed-population capture-mark-recapture (CMR) design at the Big South Fork (BSF) area Kentucky during 2010 Tennessee 2012 estimate demographic genetic characteristics black bear (Ursus americanus) that resulted reintroduced founding 18 bears 1998. estimated 38 (95% CI: 31–66) 190 170–219) on areas, respectively. Based abundance alone, mean annual growth rate was 18.3% 17.4–19.5%) 1998 2012. compared sampled 2010–2012 2000–2002, 2–4 years following reintroduction, source population. found level diversity since reintroduction as indicated by expected heterozygosity (HE) remained relatively constant (HE(source, 2004) = 0.763, HE(BSF, 2000–2002) = 0.729, 2010–2012) = 0.712) effective number breeders (NB) low but had increased absence sufficient immigration (NB(BSF, 2000–2002) = 12, NB(BSF, 2010–2012) = 35). This appears be genetically isolated, contrary our expectations, we did not find evidence loss or other deleterious effects typically observed small groups. attribute high initial group combined with overlapping generations rapid growth. Although remains small, using demographically sustainable. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.