Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America

African painted dogs (<i>Lycaon pictus,</i> APD) are highly endangered, with fewer than 7000 remaining in nature. Captive breeding programs can preserve a genetically diverse population and provide a source of individuals for reintroductions. However, most programs are initiated from few...

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Main Authors: Cassandra M. Miller-Butterworth, Karen Vacco, Amy L. Russell, Joseph C. Gaspard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
Series:Genes
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/10/1463
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author Cassandra M. Miller-Butterworth
Karen Vacco
Amy L. Russell
Joseph C. Gaspard
author_facet Cassandra M. Miller-Butterworth
Karen Vacco
Amy L. Russell
Joseph C. Gaspard
author_sort Cassandra M. Miller-Butterworth
collection DOAJ
description African painted dogs (<i>Lycaon pictus,</i> APD) are highly endangered, with fewer than 7000 remaining in nature. Captive breeding programs can preserve a genetically diverse population and provide a source of individuals for reintroductions. However, most programs are initiated from few founders and suffer from low genetic diversity and inbreeding. The aims of this study were to use molecular markers to assess genetic variation, inbreeding, and relatedness among APDs in the North American captive population, to use these data to realign studbook records, and to compare these data to wild populations and to the European captive population to facilitate the development of a global management plan. We sequenced mitochondrial and major histocompatibility (MHC) class II loci and genotyped 14 microsatellite loci from 109 APDs from 34 institutions in North America. We identified three likely studbook errors and resolved ten cases of uncertain paternity. Overall, microsatellite heterozygosity was higher than reported in Europe, but effective population size estimates were lower. Mitochondrial sequence variation was extremely limited, and there were fewer MHC haplotypes than in Europe or the wild. Although the population did not show evidence of significant inbreeding overall, several individuals shared high relatedness values, which should be incorporated into future breeding programs.
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spelling doaj.art-694522235b2440ceb2e0d2b49ab977c52023-11-22T18:20:17ZengMDPI AGGenes2073-44252021-09-011210146310.3390/genes12101463Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North AmericaCassandra M. Miller-Butterworth0Karen Vacco1Amy L. Russell2Joseph C. Gaspard3Penn State Beaver, Monaca, PA 15061, USAPittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USABiology Department, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, USAPittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USAAfrican painted dogs (<i>Lycaon pictus,</i> APD) are highly endangered, with fewer than 7000 remaining in nature. Captive breeding programs can preserve a genetically diverse population and provide a source of individuals for reintroductions. However, most programs are initiated from few founders and suffer from low genetic diversity and inbreeding. The aims of this study were to use molecular markers to assess genetic variation, inbreeding, and relatedness among APDs in the North American captive population, to use these data to realign studbook records, and to compare these data to wild populations and to the European captive population to facilitate the development of a global management plan. We sequenced mitochondrial and major histocompatibility (MHC) class II loci and genotyped 14 microsatellite loci from 109 APDs from 34 institutions in North America. We identified three likely studbook errors and resolved ten cases of uncertain paternity. Overall, microsatellite heterozygosity was higher than reported in Europe, but effective population size estimates were lower. Mitochondrial sequence variation was extremely limited, and there were fewer MHC haplotypes than in Europe or the wild. Although the population did not show evidence of significant inbreeding overall, several individuals shared high relatedness values, which should be incorporated into future breeding programs.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/10/1463<i>Lycaon pictus</i>African wild dogCanidaemicrosatelliteMHCDLA-DRB1
spellingShingle Cassandra M. Miller-Butterworth
Karen Vacco
Amy L. Russell
Joseph C. Gaspard
Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America
Genes
<i>Lycaon pictus</i>
African wild dog
Canidae
microsatellite
MHC
DLA-DRB1
title Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America
title_full Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America
title_fullStr Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America
title_full_unstemmed Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America
title_short Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America
title_sort genetic diversity and relatedness among captive african painted dogs in north america
topic <i>Lycaon pictus</i>
African wild dog
Canidae
microsatellite
MHC
DLA-DRB1
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/10/1463
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