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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Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
2009-02-01
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Series: | Animal Biodiversity and Conservation |
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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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AT rkautenburger populationgeneticstructureinnaturalandreintroducedbeavercastorfiberpopulationsincentraleurope AT acsander populationgeneticstructureinnaturalandreintroducedbeavercastorfiberpopulationsincentraleurope |
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