GENETIC-STRUCTURE AND MIGRATION IN NATIVE AND REINTRODUCED ROCKY-MOUNTAIN WOLF POPULATIONS

Gray wolf (Canis lupus) recovery in the Rocky Mountains of the U.S. is proceeding by both natural recolonization and managed reintroduction. We used DNA microsatellite analysis of wolves transplanted from Canad a to two reintroduction sites in the U.S. to study population structur e in native and reintroduced wolf populations. Gene flow due to migrat ion between regions in Canada is substantial, and all three recovery p opulations in the U.S. had high genetic variation. The reintroduced fo unders were moderately genetically divergent from the naturally coloni zing U.S. population. These findings corroborate that the reintroducti on more than meets generally accepted genetic guidelines. Maintaining this variation, however, will depend on ample reproduction in the firs t few generations. In the long term genetic variation will best be ret ained if migration occurs among the recolonizing and the two transplan ted populations. Evidence from field observation and genetic studies s hows extensive dispersal by wolves, and we conclude that exchange amon g these groups due to natural dispersal is likely if public tolerance and legal protection are adequate outside lands designated for wolf re covery.