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Conservation genetics

Molecular analyses to determine and monitor genetic diversity within and between vicuņa populations have been initiated under the MACS project . Recent work in Peru has shown that indiscriminate translocation of vicuņa between regions is seriously disrupting the genetic diversity of hitherto isolated populations.  Distinct sub-species are in danger of being lost by hybridisation.  In order to develop guidelines to counteract this process throughout the altiplano, the present distributions of regional variants needs to be established. The first step in this is the establishment of a gene bank reference collection from sampling throughout the altiplano region.  A technique for deriving suitable DNA from faecal samples will be developed by Partner 4. These samples will then be analysed, using state of the art gene technology to identify the links between genotypic and phenotypic variants, and their spatial distribution. Discrete management units will then be defined to minimise the level of hybridisation by translocation, and on this basis, reliable guidelines for policy on translocation of breeding stock will be defined.


Resources

Genetic analysis


This site is maintained by Jerry Laker for Proyecto MACS
Macaulay Land Use Research Institute
Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH. UK
j.laker@macaulay.ac.uk