Genetic bottlenecks resulting from restoration efforts: The case of bighorn sheep in Badlands National Park

Using the example of a reintroduced bighorn sheep population in Badlands Na tional Park, South Dakota we demonstrate the usefulness of neutrality tests and demographic data for detecting a severe genetic bottleneck (Ne < 10). From demographic data the effective population size of the founding populat ion at Badlands was estimated to be six, and a heterozygosity excess test r evealed evidence of a severe population bottleneck. We discuss the criteria for intervention when there is evidence of a severe bottleneck, and propos e methods of mitigating the potentially deleterious long-term consequences of such bottlenecks. These issues are presented in the context of bighorn s heep reintroductions, but the issues are also of general importance to rest oration efforts involving other large vertebrates.