Genetic diversity and conservation status of managed vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) populations in Argentina

ANELLO M; DAVERIO MS; ROMERO SR; RIGALT F; SILBESTRO MB; VIDAL RIOJA L; DI ROCCO F

GENETICA

SPRINGER

Lugar: Nueva York; Año: 2016 vol. 144 p. 85 - 97

0016-6707

The vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) was indiscriminatelyhunted for more than 400 years and, by the end of1960s, it was seriously endangered. At that time, a captivebreeding program was initiated in Argentina by theNational Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) withthe aim of preserving the species. Nowadays, vicun?as aremanaged in captivity and in the wild to obtain their valuablefiber. The current genetic status of Argentinean vicun?apopulations is virtually unknown. Using mitochondrialDNA and microsatellite markers, we assessed levels ofgenetic diversity of vicun?a populations managed in thewild and compared it with a captive population fromINTA. Furthermore, we examined levels of genetic structureand evidence for historical bottlenecks. Overall, allpopulations revealed high genetic variability with no signsof inbreeding. Levels of genetic diversity between captiveand wild populations were not significantly different,although the captive population showed the lowest estimatesof allelic richness, number of mitochondrial haplotypes,and haplotype diversity. Significant geneticdifferentiation at microsatellite markers was found betweenfree-living populations from Jujuy and Catamarca provinces.Moreover, microsatellite data also revealed geneticstructure within the Catamarca management area. Geneticsignatures of past bottlenecks were detected in wild populationsby the Garza Williamson test. Results from thisstudy are discussed in relation to the conservation andmanagement of the species.