Conservation Genetics of the Plain Pigeon (Columba inornata) in Puerto Rico

Over the last five to eight years, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and University of Puerto Rico have maintained a breeding and recovery program for the Plain Pigeon (Columba inornata), which is declining throughout its range. To assist this ongoing effort, variability in nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA (in its control region) was quantified for the 20 surviving founders of this program by DNA fingerprinting and polymerase-chain-reaction/dideoxy sequencing, respectively. Compared to unrelated individuals of other birds, the DNA data indicate that a low level of genetic variation exists among the founders, among their captive-bred descendants, and in their source population. This conclusion is evaluated against the recent history of the species in Puerto Rico and then in terms of its importance to the ongoing recovery program.