Genetic evidence for survival of released captive-bred brown hares Lepus europaeus during restocking operations in Greece

摘要: To prevent the decline of brown hare Lepus europaeus, especially as a result hunting pressure, restocking programmes, using hares from elsewhere, were carried out in Greece up to 2001. Using diagnostic RFLP mitochondrial DNA markers we traced origins released captive-bred hares. We provide evidence that animals survived long enough have at least one reproductive cycle and transmit their genome. If, long-term, introgressed foreign genes survive, forming new genotypes with indigenous genes, this would demonstrate they are successful terms competition. As nuclear gene pools not markedly divergent between Greek other European should be serious handicap. Hence, certain situations release programmes may appropriate.