title: Genetic diversity and conservation status of managed vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) populations in Argentina.
abstract: The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) was indiscriminately hunted for more than 400 years and, by the end of 1960s, it was seriously endangered. At that time, a captive breeding program was initiated in Argentina by the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) with the aim of preserving the species. Nowadays, vicuñas are managed in captivity and in the wild to obtain their valuable fiber. The current genetic status of Argentinean vicuña populations is virtually unknown. Using mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers, we assessed levels of genetic diversity of vicuña populations managed in the wild and compared it with a captive population from INTA. Furthermore, we examined levels of genetic structure and evidence for historical bottlenecks. Overall, all populations revealed high genetic variability with no signs of inbreeding. Levels of genetic diversity between captive and wild populations were not significantly different, although the captive population showed the lowest estimates of allelic richness, number of mitochondrial haplotypes, and haplotype diversity. Significant genetic differentiation at microsatellite markers was found between free-living populations from Jujuy and Catamarca provinces. Moreover, microsatellite data also revealed genetic structure within the Catamarca management area. Genetic signatures of past bottlenecks were detected in wild populations by the Garza Williamson test. Results from this study are discussed in relation to the conservation and management of the species.
authors: Laboratorio de Genética Molecular, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), CCT-CONICET-La Plata, CICPBA, Calle 526 e/10 y 11, PO Box 403, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. manello@imbice.gov.ar.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Anello
authors: Laboratorio de Genética Molecular, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), CCT-CONICET-La Plata, CICPBA, Calle 526 e/10 y 11, PO Box 403, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Daverio
authors: INTA-Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Abra Pampa, Ruta Provincial 11 km 17 (4640), Cochinoca, Abra Pampa, Jujuy, Argentina.
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Romero
authors: INTA-Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Catamarca, Ruta Provincial 33 km 4 (4705), Sumalao, Valle Viejo, Catamarca, Argentina.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Rigalt
authors: Laboratorio de Genética Molecular, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), CCT-CONICET-La Plata, CICPBA, Calle 526 e/10 y 11, PO Box 403, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Silbestro
authors: Laboratorio de Genética Molecular, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), CCT-CONICET-La Plata, CICPBA, Calle 526 e/10 y 11, PO Box 403, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Vidal-Rioja
authors: Laboratorio de Genética Molecular, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), CCT-CONICET-La Plata, CICPBA, Calle 526 e/10 y 11, PO Box 403, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. fdirocco@imbice.gov.ar.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Di Rocco
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D001947:Breeding; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000235:genetics*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006239:Haplotypes; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008957:Models, Genetic
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: Bottlenecks; Conservation; Genetic diversity; Microsatellites; Mitochondrial DNA; Sustainable use; Vicuña