Maintenance of genetic diversity by ex situ conservation of the endangered diving beetle Acilius kishii (Dytiscidae) in multiple facilities

DOI Web Site Open Access
  • Kato Masaya
    Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University
  • Nakahama Naoyuki
    Institute of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Hyogo Division of Ecological Restoration, The Museum of Nature and Human Activities
  • Ueda Shouhei
    Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University
  • Hirai Norio
    Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University
  • Isagi Yuji
    Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 複数施設の生息域外保全による国内希少野生動植物ヤシャゲンゴロウの遺伝的多様性の保持効果
  • フクスウ シセツ ノ セイソク イキガイ ホゼン ニ ヨル コクナイ キショウ ヤセイ ドウショクブツ ヤシャゲンゴロウ ノ イデンテキ タヨウセイ ノ ホジ コウカ

Search this article

Description

<p>Ex situ conservation of endangered species involves breeding and cultivation of wild populations to reduce the risk of their extinction. Acilius kishii (Dytiscidae) is only known to inhabit Lake Yashaga-Ike, Honshu Island, Japan; therefore, this species was classified as a “national endangered species of wild fauna and flora” according to the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Japan. In 2016, ex situ conservation of A. kishii was conducted at three facilities: the Ishikawa Insect Museum, Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, and Fukui Nature Conservation Center. In this study, we examined the effects of ex situ conservation on the genetic diversity of wild populations of A. kishii, including specimens collected in 2016 and before 1995, using 14 microsatellite markers. We also examined wild populations of the related species A. japonicus. Genetic diversity was lower in the wild A. kishii population than in A. japonicus; however, no decline in genetic diversity is thought to have occurred before 1995 or in 2016. At all three facilities, the numbers of alleles in the ex situ conservation populations of A. kishii were lower than that of the wild population. However, pooling the alleles of all three ex situ conservation groups resulted in almost the same alleles as the wild A. kishii population, with a reduction in only one allele. These results suggest that independent ex situ conservation at multiple sites and regular exchange of ex situ individuals among sites is important for maintaining genetic diversity.</p>

Journal

Related Projects

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top