Genetic Analysis of the Henry Mountains Bison Herd

摘要: Wild American plains bison (Bison bison) populations virtually disappeared in the late 1800s, with some remnant animals retained what would become Yellowstone National Park and on private ranches. Some of these were intentionally crossbred cattle for commercial purposes. This forced hybridization resulted both mitochondrial nuclear introgression genes into extant genome. As grew, excess animals, along their history genetics, provided founders newly established public populations. Of US herds, only those Wind Cave Parks (YNP WCNP) appear to be free detectable levels introgression. However, a small free-ranging population (~350 animals) exists land, domestic cattle, Henry Mountains (HM) southern Utah. isolated herd originated from founder group translocated YNP 1940s. Using genetic samples 129 individuals, we examined status HM found no evidence or genes. new information confirms it is highly unlikely free-living crossbreed this disease-free valuable long-term conservation species. subpopulation YNP/WCNP/HM metapopulation, within which can contribute significantly national efforts restore more its native range.