Genetic structure and evolved malaria resistance in Hawaiian honeycreepers.

摘要: Infectious diseases now threaten wildlife populations worldwide but population recovery following local extinction has rarely been observed. In such a case, do resistant individuals recolonize from central remnant population, or they spread small, perhaps overlooked, of individuals? Introduced avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) devastated low-elevation native birds in Hawaii, at least one species (Hawaii amakihi, Hemignathus virens) that was greatly reduced elevations below about 1000 m tolerates and initiated remarkable rapid recovery. We assessed mitochondrial nuclear DNA markers amakihi two other Hawaiian honeycreepers, apapane (Himatione sanguinea) iiwi (Vestiaria coccinea), nine primary study sites 2001 to 2003 determine the source re-establishing birds. addition, we obtained sequences tissue museum skins (1898 1948–49) assess temporal changes allele distributions. found lowland areas are, have historically been, differentiated high had unique alleles retained through time; is, their genetic signature not subset variation higher elevations. suggest disease pressure rapidly selected for resistance low elevation, leaving small pockets birds, this outward scattered populations. Low-elevation are currently isolated (> m) where emergence transmission rates appear vary seasonally annually. contrast results no differentiation between iiwi, indicating slight life-history attributes can Determining conditions allow development is essential understanding how evolve across landscape varying pressures.