Recently acquired genetic variation in wild populations of marmota detected by DNA fingerprinting [Variation génétique récente dans des populations sauvages de marmottes détectée par les empreintes génétiques].

Résumé

Allozyme studies suggest a severe genetic bottleneck, as indicated by the reduced number of variable genes and the loss of rare alleles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the variation found at VNTR-loci for assaying the differentiation at the population level. Samples were taken from 6 locations in Switzerland (2) and Austria (4): autochthonous populations from Bern (B), Graubünden (G), and Verwall (V), re-introduced populations from Zillertal (Z), Kreuzeck (K), Eisenerz (E). Genomic DNA from liver samples was digested with Hinf l. Southern blots were hybridized with the DNA-probe (ATCC)4. Nine variable bands (4-22 kb) were found with 19 different pattern types among 50 individuals. Three pattern types are rather widespread, the other patterns occurred either once (10) or twice (6). All 6 populations were polymorphic. Autochthonous populations G and V and the westernmost re-introduced population Z were genetically similar. Population B is differentiated from the rest of the autochthonous populations. The 2 re-introduced populations K and E are genetically distinct. The common types represent an ancient polymorphism whereas the rare types may have been generated by mutations at the specific locations.