Genetic characteristics of endangered Japanese golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos japonica) based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences and karyotypes
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1998 |
Authors: |
Ryuichi Masuda, Miyuki Noro, Naoko Kurose, Chizuko Nishida-Umehara, Hideo Takechi, Toru Yamazaki, Masao Kosuge, Michihiro C. Yoshida |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Publisher: |
A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services |
Keywords: |
conservation unit, genetic variation, habitat fragmentation, haplotype, maternal lineage, sequence diversity |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1998)17:2<111::AID-ZOO6>3.3.CO;2-N Mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences (472 bases) for endangered Japanese golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos japonica) were investigated to evaluate-intrapopulational genetic variations. Among 23 golden eagles, including origin-known eagles caught in the wild and origin-unknown eagles, 10 variable sites were found in the 472 base-sequences. From the nucleotide substitutions, five haplotypes of D-loop sequences were identified, indicating the occurrence of at least three maternal lineages in golden eagles around Japan. Distribution patterns of D-loop haplotypes suggested a wide genetic communication between local populations around Japan prior to a recent habitat fragmentation and a decrease in the population size. In addition, cytogenetic analysis showed that a karyotype specific to the Japanese golden eagle is consistently 2n=62 including eight microchromosomes. Based on mitochondrial DNA and karyotype data, it is likely that golden eagle populations from Japan and the Korean Peninsula together form a common conservation unit. These results provide an important framework for conservation actions for Japanese golden eagle populations in zoos, and in situ reintroduction and translocation programs. Zoo Biol 17:111–121, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.