ALLOZYME VARIATION IN SOUTH-AFRICAN IMPALA POPULATIONS UNDER DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT REGIMES

Seventy-nine impalas Aepyceros melampus from four populations were com pared using protein gel-electrophoresis to determine the influence of different management strategies on genetic variability and differentia tion. Four tissue types were analysed, and we were able to resolve 35 protein-coding loci, of which six were polymorphic. Average heterozygo sity values ranged from 4,6% in a numerically large population to 2,41 % and 3,21% in two isolated groups, and 4,43% in another isolated (but well-managed) population, (with corresponding proportions of polymorp hic loci of 14,29%; 5,71%; 11,43% and 14,29%). As expected for conspec ific populations, gene variability was much higher within (91,53%) tha n between (8,47%) populations. Average genetic distance (Nei 1972) bet ween populations ranged from 0,0015 to 0,0088, indicating limited allo zyme divergence among the groups studied. We discuss factors contribut ing towards the above results as well as the implications for manageme nt strategies.