Subspecies hybridization as a potential conservation tool in species reintroductions.

ABSTRACT: Reintroductions are a powerful tool for the recovery of endangered species. However, their long-term success is strongly influenced by the genetic diversity of the reintroduced population. The chances of population persistence can be improved by enhancing the population's adaptive ability through the mixing of individuals from different sources. However, where source populations are too diverse the reintroduced population could also suffer from outbreeding depression or unsuccessful admixture due to behavioural or genetic barriers. For the reintroduction of Asiatic wild ass Equus hemionus ssp. in Israel, a breeding core was created from individuals of two different subspecies (E. h. onager & E. h. kulan). Today the population comprises approximately 300 individuals and

SUBMITTER: Zecherle LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8127701 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature