Sa. Harmon et Ra. Van Den Bussche, Genetic attributes of a declining population of reintroduced eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), SW NATURAL, 45(3), 2000, pp. 258-266
The eastern wild turkey ((Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) experienced popul
ation declines in the United States beginning in the 19th century and conti
nuing through the early 20th century. Transgeographic reintroduction effort
s have reestablished eastern wild turkeys throughout most of their historic
range but effects of reintroductions on genetic composition of resulting p
opulations are unclear. Most reintroduced populations are maintaining self-
sustainable populations. However, for unknown reasons, the population in so
utheastern Oklahoma decreased by 77% from 1980 to 1994. We used multi-focus
DNA fingerprinting to evaluate levels of similarity, heterozygosity, and a
llelic diversity within and among wintering flocks occurring on the Pushmat
aha Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Oklahoma. Results from two res
triction enzyme-probe combinations revealed mean similarity, heterozygosity
, and allelic diversity similar to those in other outbred avian populations
. Therefore, the decline of wild turkeys in southeastern Oklahoma is not re
lated to reduced genetic variability, but may be due to biotic and abiotic
factors not accounted for in this study.