Allozymic Variation in the Endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus): Genetics of a Translocated Population

We examined allozymic variation at 42 loci in a translocated population of the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, Sciurus niger cinereus, as well as the naturally occurring (source) population from which individuals were obtained to establish it. The translocated population was founded more than 20 y ago by a total of 30 animals introduced directly from the source population and by descendants from a previous translocation from the same source population. Genetic variation, as measured by mean heterozygosity, did not differ significantly between the source and translocated populations. The mean number of alleles per locus was significantly lower in the translocated population relative to the source population. Genetic variation in both S. n. cinereus populations is within the range of values found in other populations of S. niger. Nevertheless, we suggest that the Chincoteague population and other translocated populations of S. n. cinereus be examined periodically (using larger samples sizes, if possible) for losses of genetic variation. Also, additional methods (e.g., analysis of mitochondrial and/or nuclear DNA) should be used to document genetic variation within and among translocated and naturally occurring populations of S. n. cinereus.