Population genetic structure in natural and reintroduced beaver (Castor fiber) populations in Central Europe

Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758 is the only indigenous species of the genus Castor in Europe and Asia. Due to extensive hunting until the beginning of the 20th century, the distribution of the formerly widespread Eurasian beaver was dramatically reduced. Only a few populations remained and these were i...

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Main Authors: R. Kautenburger, A. C. Sander
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona 2009-02-01
Series:Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
Online Access:https://www.raco.cat/index.php/ABC/article/view/123094
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spelling doaj-2dd25e21c19a4abd803d0ffeb50a8acf2020-11-25T03:47:53ZengMuseu de Ciències Naturals de BarcelonaAnimal Biodiversity and Conservation1578-665X2014-928X2009-02-01312123094Population genetic structure in natural and reintroduced beaver (Castor fiber) populations in Central EuropeR. KautenburgerA. C. SanderCastor fiber Linnaeus, 1758 is the only indigenous species of the genus Castor in Europe and Asia. Due to extensive hunting until the beginning of the 20th century, the distribution of the formerly widespread Eurasian beaver was dramatically reduced. Only a few populations remained and these were in isolated locations, such as the region of the German Elbe River. The loss of genetic diversity in small or captive populations through genetic drift and inbreeding is a severe conservation problem. However, the reintroduction of beaver populations from several regions in Europe has shown high viability and populations today are growing fast. In the present study we analysed the population genetic structure of a natural and two reintroduced beaver populations in Germany and Austria. Furthermore, we studied the genetic differentiation between two beaver species, C. fiber and the American beaver (C. canadensis), using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) as a genetic marker. The reintroduced beaver populations of different origins and the autochthonous population of the Elbe River showed a similar low genetic heterogeneity. There was an overall high genetic similarity in the species C. fiber, and no evidence was found for a clear subspecific structure in the populations studied. Key words: Beaver, Castor fiber, Castor canadensis, Genetic diversity, RAPD, Reintroduction.https://www.raco.cat/index.php/ABC/article/view/123094
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author R. Kautenburger
A. C. Sander
spellingShingle R. Kautenburger
A. C. Sander
Population genetic structure in natural and reintroduced beaver (Castor fiber) populations in Central Europe
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
author_facet R. Kautenburger
A. C. Sander
author_sort R. Kautenburger
title Population genetic structure in natural and reintroduced beaver (Castor fiber) populations in Central Europe
title_short Population genetic structure in natural and reintroduced beaver (Castor fiber) populations in Central Europe
title_full Population genetic structure in natural and reintroduced beaver (Castor fiber) populations in Central Europe
title_fullStr Population genetic structure in natural and reintroduced beaver (Castor fiber) populations in Central Europe
title_full_unstemmed Population genetic structure in natural and reintroduced beaver (Castor fiber) populations in Central Europe
title_sort population genetic structure in natural and reintroduced beaver (castor fiber) populations in central europe
publisher Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
series Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
issn 1578-665X
2014-928X
publishDate 2009-02-01
description Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758 is the only indigenous species of the genus Castor in Europe and Asia. Due to extensive hunting until the beginning of the 20th century, the distribution of the formerly widespread Eurasian beaver was dramatically reduced. Only a few populations remained and these were in isolated locations, such as the region of the German Elbe River. The loss of genetic diversity in small or captive populations through genetic drift and inbreeding is a severe conservation problem. However, the reintroduction of beaver populations from several regions in Europe has shown high viability and populations today are growing fast. In the present study we analysed the population genetic structure of a natural and two reintroduced beaver populations in Germany and Austria. Furthermore, we studied the genetic differentiation between two beaver species, C. fiber and the American beaver (C. canadensis), using RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) as a genetic marker. The reintroduced beaver populations of different origins and the autochthonous population of the Elbe River showed a similar low genetic heterogeneity. There was an overall high genetic similarity in the species C. fiber, and no evidence was found for a clear subspecific structure in the populations studied. Key words: Beaver, Castor fiber, Castor canadensis, Genetic diversity, RAPD, Reintroduction.
url https://www.raco.cat/index.php/ABC/article/view/123094
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