The endangered kokako Callaeas cinerea wilsoni (Callaeidae), an endemic for
est-dwelling passerine of New Zealand, has declined over the last century t
o a number of small isolated populations due to widespread habitat clearanc
e and predation by introduced predators. To evaluate the genetic consequenc
es of inbreeding and genetic drift, we examined genetic variability within
and among 3 of the major remaining kokako populations using 4 polymorphic m
icrosatellite loci. The largest remaining kokako population in the Te Urewe
ras was shown to have greater variability than the smaller Mapara and Rotoe
hu populations. Differentiation among the populations was low to moderate.
We suggest there is no genetic barrier to translocations between the popula
tions and that translocations of some individuals between the remaining kok
ako populations could enhance genetic variability of small populations to l
evels found in larger populations (e.g. Te Ureweras). (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci
ence Ltd. All rights reserved.