Allozyme variation in South African impala populations under different management regimes

Seventy-nine impalas Aepyceros melampus from four populations were compared using protein gel-electrophoresis to determine the influence of different management strategies on genetic variability and differentiation. Four tissue types were analysed, and we were able to resolve 35 protein-coding loci, of which six were polymorphic. Average heterozygosity values ranged from 4,6% in a numerically large population to 2,41 % and 3,21 % in two isolated groups, and 4,43% in another isolated (but well-managed) population, (with corresponding proportions of polymorphic loci of 14,29%; 5,71%; 11,43% and 14,29%). As expected for conspecific populations, gene variability was much higher within (91,53%) than between (8,47%) populations. Average genetic distance (Nei 1972) between populations ranged from 0,0015 to 0,0088, indicating limited allozyme divergence among the groups studied. We discuss factors contributing towards the above results as well as the implications for management strategies. Nege-en-sewentig rooibokke Aepyceros melampus uit vier verskillende bevolkings is deur middel van proteïen jel-elektroforese geneties met mekaar vergelyk om die invloed van verskillende bestuurstrategieë te bepaal. Vier weefseltipes is gebruik en 'n totaal van 35 proteïen koderende lokusse (waarvan ses polimorfisme getoon het) is ondersoek. Gemiddelde heterosigositeit het gewissel van 4,6% in 'n kontrolegroep tot 2,41 % en 3,21 % in twee geïsoleerde groepe, en 4,43% in 'n geïsoleerde bevolking waar goeie genetiese bestuur toegepas is (met persentasies polimorfiese lokusse van 14,29%; 5,71%; 11,43% en 14,29% onderskeidelik). Die binne-bevolkingkomponent van gene-diversiteit (91,53%) was hoër as die tussen-bevolkingkomponent (8,47%), soos verwag vir bevolkings van dieselfde spesie. Die gemiddelde genetiese afstand (Nei 1972) tussen bevolkings het gewissel van 0,0015 tot 0,0088, wat op 'n beperkte mate van allosiem-divergensie dui. Ons bespreek faktore wat tot bogenoemde resultate bygedra het asook enkele riglyne vir die bestuur van geïsoleerde bevolkings.