Increased heterozygosity and body condition result from admixed translocation of the threatened Mogollon Narrow-headed Gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus)

Conservation Genetics
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Abstract

Enhancing gene flow through translocations can be a useful tool in recovering small and isolated populations. However, it is not devoid of genetic risks, such as outbreeding depression in future generations, that can have negative consequences in terms of the establishment and mean fitness of the population. Studies that monitor the long-term effects of genetic rescue on populations in the wild are few, especially for snakes. We used long-term genetic monitoring and body condition indices to investigate the consequences of conservation translocation and genetic admixture in a Mogollon Narrow-headed Gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) wild population. We compared genetic diversity and fitness metrics among the source and recipient populations to evaluate individual- and population-level fitness responses related to the conservation translocation. Our study found persistent captures with continued monitoring for over a decade post-release, and the recipient population showed lower inbreeding values and an increase in heterozygosity that was 19% higher than the two source populations. Snakes sampled in the recipient population had higher individual heterozygosity and body condition than those in the extant source and reference populations. Further, Bayesian regression models supported a significant positive relationship between heterozygosity and body condition after accounting for among-site differences, suggesting that efforts to increase heterozygosity can improve mean fitness in these populations. Our study highlights the potential benefits of conservation translocation from multiple source populations to restore the distribution and increase heterozygosity and population fitness of this threatened gartersnake. Alongside ecological restoration, translocation programs could be used to ensure both the persistence and resilience of populations throughout the species’ range.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Increased heterozygosity and body condition result from admixed translocation of the threatened Mogollon Narrow-headed Gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus)
Series title Conservation Genetics
DOI 10.1007/s10592-025-01677-3
Edition Online First
Publication Date February 17, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Country United States
State New Mexico
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