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POPULATION GENETICS
Conservation of genetic diversity is vital for population viability. Genetic diversity can be lost through founder effects, population bottlenecks, genetic drift and selection. The rate at which genetic diversity is lost will depend on the population's size and degree of isolation. The small size of many Wood Bison populations makes them highly susceptible to the processes of genetic drift. However, as drift in subdivided populations can result in the fixation of different alleles in each population, overall metapopulation diversity can be higher as fixation of an allele guarantees that it will not be lost. Consequently, the proper management strategy to maximize diversity at the metapopulation level is only clear with further knowledge of the population's demographic and genetic composition. K. McFarlane (Zittlau), G.A. Wilson, J.S. Nishi 2006 "Management Strategies for Conservation of Genetic Diversity in Wood Bison" The Canadian Bison Association, Certified Registered Purebred Wood Bison records, within the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation, represents the ultimate known metapopulation of Wood Bison and provides information on individual population demographics and genetic composition. This registry ensures the long term viability and genetic diversity of Wood Bison in North America. Through careful registry selection, both public and private herd managers can minimize the effects of genetic drift regardless of individual herd size. The vastly diversified genetics of the diseased Wood Buffalo National Park herd may eventually be included in the registry as advanced reproductive technologies gain success salvaging disease-free embryos.  |
Herd Genetics
ALBERTA PROVIDENCE WOOD BISON - APWB Canadian Livestock Records Corporation Tattoo Letter Registration - April 30, 2002  CANADIAN BISON ASSOCIATION Certified Registered Purebred Wood Bison Canadian Livestock Records Corporation Ottawa, Canada |
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