COMPARISON OF THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF WILD AND CAPTIVE GROUPS OF MICROCEBUS-MURINUS USING THE RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA METHOD

Continued survival of most animal species depends on population manage ment and active protection. It is generally agreed that, in order to a void extinction of endangered species, ex situ and in situ conservatio n must be developed in tandem. However, even though many recommendatio ns have been put forward to promote the survival of captive population s, some rapidly become extinct due to loss of genetic diversity (drift effect). Genetic markers, such as random amplified polymorphic DNA (R APD) markers, can be applied to rapid testing of many individuals. The y also permit analysis of very small amounts of DNA, when small specie s such as mouse lemurs (Microcebus) are to be tested. Using RAPD marke rs, we compare genetic diversity in four captive groups of Microcebus murinus to that in a sample of 70 wild mouse lemurs. Following the pri nciples of Mendelian inheritance, each amplified fragment of DNA may b e considered as a 'locus' (or an amplifying site). The series of bands amplified by a particular primer in any individual is referred to as the individual's 'profile'. We tested 5 primers, or, in the above term s, we studied 98 different 'loci'. Results showed that the captive gro ups had lost genetic information with respect to the wild sample. Amon g the four captive groups, the loss of genetic diversity varied accord ing to their number of founders and/or the management of their captive reproduction. Our study of polymorphism permitted us to establish too ls for the genetic management of captive breeding, and for the determi nation of paternity which frequently give better results than behaviou ral studies; and simulation of introductions or departures of individu als in one very monomorphic group permitted estimation of future incre ases in its genetic diversity.