Genetic diversity in captive and wild Matschie's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei) from Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, based on mtDNA control region sequences

Abstract

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Matschie's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei) population is at a critical point for assessing long-term viability. This population, established from 19 genetically uncharacterized D. matschiei, has endured a founder effect because only four individuals contributed the majority of offspring. The highly variable mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region was sequenced for five of the female-founders by examining extant representatives of their maternal lineage and compared with wild (n = 13) and captive (n = 18) D. matschiei from Papua New Guinea (PNG). AZA female-founder D. matschiei control region haplotype diversity was low, compared with captive D. matschiei held in PNG. AZA D. matschiei have only two control region haplotypes because four out of five AZA female-founder D. matschiei had an identical sequence. Both AZA haplotypes were identified among the 17 wild and captive D. matschiei haplotypes from PNG. Genomic DNA extracted from wild D. matschiei fecal samples was a reliable source of mtDNA that could be used for a larger scale study. We recommend a nuclear DNA genetic analysis to more fully characterize AZA D. matschiei genetic diversity and to assist their Species Survival Plan((R)). An improved understanding of D. matschiei genetics will contribute substantially to the conservation of these unique animals both in captivity and the wild.

Genetic structure of captive and free-ranging okapi (Okapia johnstoni) with implications for management

“…It may also indicate an accumulation of genetic load due to relaxed selection, which may ultimately result in inbreeding depression (Boakes et al 2006). Studies have shown that genetic structure can be introduced rapidly in captive populations due to founder effect (Hu et al 2007;Armstrong et al 2011;Witzenberger and Hochkirch 2013), although relatively few use a dataset as comprehensive as the present study, with representative samples from the wild, founders and captives (McGreevy et al 2009;Shen et al 2009;Gonçalves da Silva et al 2010).…”

“…In contrast, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been used less frequently than microsatellite markers for informing captive breeding programs (Russello et al 2007;Benavides et al 2012). Also, analysis has usually been limited to measures of genetic diversity, rather than investigating geographic origin of founders or representation of wild alleles in captivity (Gautschi et al 2003;Muñoz-fuentes et al 2008;McGreevy et al 2009;Lesobre et al 2010;Khan et al 2011;McGreevy et al 2011). This bias towards the use of microsatellites is likely to be due to the fact that, for some species, mtDNA has been shown to feature low diversity in the wild and/or founding individuals, limiting its utility (Hedrick et al 1997).…”

A multiplex PCR assay to distinguish among three sympatric marsupial taxa from Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea, using the mitochondrial control region

“…The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) collected D. matschiei faecal samples to investigate tree kangaroo ecology and population dynamics. Large‐scale capture studies present a serious risk to the animal’s health, and noninvasive collection of D. matschiei faecal samples is a reliable source of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) for genetic analyses (McGreevy et al. 2009).…”

“…McGreevy et al. (2009) found that 68% (23 of 34) of the faecal samples, visually identified as originating from D. matschiei , were from two other sympatric macropods, New Guinea pademelon ( Thylogale browni ) and small dorcopsis ( Dorcopsulus vanheurni ).…”

“…vanheurni (Flannery 1995). The faecal samples were collected and we extracted DNA from the faecal samples according to the procedure described by McGreevy et al. (2009).…”