CONSERVATION GENETICS OF THE PLAIN PIGEON (COLUMBA-INORNATA) IN PUERTO-RICO

Over the last five to eight years, the Puerto Rico Department of Natur al Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and University of Puerto Rico have maintained a breeding and recovery program for the Plain Pi geon (Columba inornata), which is declining throughout its range. To a ssist this ongoing effort, variability in nuclear DNA and mitochondria l DNA (in its control region) was quantified for the 20 surviving foun ders of this program by DNA fingerprinting and polymerase-chain-reacti on/dideoxy sequencing, respectively. Compared to unrelated individuals of other birds, the DNA data indicate that a low level of genetic var iation exists among the founders, among their captive-bred descendants , and in their source population. This conclusion is evaluated against the recent history of the species in Puerto Rico and then in terms of its importance to the ongoing recovery program.