Journal Article

Genetic Restoration of the Florida Panther

Land, E. Darrell, Oli, Madan K, Penfold, Linda M, Howard, JoGayle, Wildt, David E, Onorato, David P, Johnson, Warren E, McBride, Roy, Jansen, Deborah, Hostetler, Jeffrey A, Roelke, Melody E, O'Brien, Stephen J, Cunningham, Mark, Belden, Robert C, Lotz, Mark, Shindle, David

2010

Overview

The rediscovery of remnant Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) in southern Florida swamplands prompted a program to protect and stabilize the population. In 1995, conservation managers translocated eight female pumas (P. c. stanleyana) from Texas to increase depleted genetic diversity, improve population numbers, and reverse indications of inbreeding depression. We have assessed the demographic, population-genetic, and biomedical consequences of this restoration experiment and show that panther numbers increased threefold, genetic heterozygosity doubled, survival and fitness measures improved, and inbreeding correlates declined significantly. Although these results are encouraging, continued habitat loss, persistent inbreeding, infectious agents, and possible habitat saturation pose new dilemmas. This intensive management program illustrates the challenges of maintaining populations of large predators worldwide.

• Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science,The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subject: Animal populations / Animal, plant and microbial ecology / Animals / Animals, Wild - classification / Animals, Wild - genetics / Animals, Wild - physiology / Applied ecology / Biological and medical sciences / C (programming language) / Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife / Demographics / Demography / Ecosystem / Endangered & extinct species / Endangered Species / Female / females / Fitness / Florida / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / Genetic diversity / Genetic Fitness / Genetic Variation / Genetics / Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution / Habitat conservation / habitat destruction / Habitat loss / Habitats / heterozygosity / Heterozygote / Hybrid Vigor / Hybridization, Genetic / Inbreeding / Inbreeding depression / Kittens / Male / Medical genetics / Mortality / Panthers / Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking / pathogens / Phylogeny / Population Density / Population genetics / Population genetics, reproduction patterns / Population growth / Predators / Puma - classification / Puma - genetics / Puma - physiology / Puma concolor coryi / Reproduction / Restoration / Saturation / Survival / Texas / Vertebrata / Wetland conservation / Wildlife conservation / wildlife management