Bison Partnership: Genetic Conservation Initiative- WICA

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This Cooperative Agreement P17AC01030 (Agreement) is entered into by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), and Texas A&M University, Agrilife Research (Recipient). The objective of this Agreement is to develop a long-term genetic conservation initiative based on the TNC-WCNP satellite herds using well-developed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers developed by Halbert (2003) and comparing this information to our previous population genetic study of WCNP bison (Derr, Halbert and Swannach 2011). The Wind Cave National Park (WCNP) bison population represents a culturally, historically, and genetically valuable bison population. As such, it is critically important that the long-term management of this population include policies that ensure their genetic conservation. We propose to develop a long-term genetic conservation initiative based on these TNC-WCNP satellite herds using well-developed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers. Wind Cave National Park and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve had substantial input into the development of the project goals and outcomes. Wind Cave National Park and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve will also be collecting all the genetic samples from their bison herds which will be sent to Texas A & M University. We propose to develop a long-term genetic conservation initiative based on these TNC-WCNP satellite herds using well-developed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers developed by Halbert (2003) and comparing this information to our previous population genetic study of WCNP bison (Derr, Halbert and Swannack 2011). Specifically, we propose the following: 1. At the 2017 roundups, genetically sample animals (tail hair follicles) that were not previously sampled in each of the five TNC-WCNP satellite bison herds. These genetic samples will be used for the studies below and archived at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. a. Determine the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) status of each animal in each TNC-WCNP satellite herd. All animals are expected to have bison mtDNA and we will determine levels of mtDNA diversity across these herds using the methods of Forgacs et.al. 2016. b. Based on the nuclear microsatellite markers of Halbert 2004, we will determine the following in each TNC satellite herd and compare this information with our previous bison study at WCNP (Derr 2011). 2. Genetic structure of each TNC-WCNP satellite herd including: a. Observed and expected heterozygosity b. Estimated level of inbreeding and genetic diversity c. Average number of alleles per locus d. Unique and/or rare alleles 3. Strategically sample the current bison population at WCNP by randomly sampling a minimum 10% of the animals in this population under ten years of age (approximately 50 animals). These samples will be genetically tested for: a. Microsatellite allele and genotype frequencies to ensure these genetic values have remained constant in this population over the last 10 years. This step is critical to ascertain the current genetic status of this bison herd. b. SNP-based BisonChip HD Array analysis. Following the development of this genomic sequence based test for domestic cattle chromosomal regions (Derr 2017), we will investigate the integrity of WCNP bison genomes. Clearly this is an important step in documenting the conservation value of this herd. STATEMENT OF WORK RECIPIENT AGREES TO: 1. Task One: a. Determine the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) status of each animal in each TNC-WCNP satellite herd. All animals are expected to have bison mtDNA and we will determine levels of mtDNA diversity across these hers using the methose of Forgacs et.al. 2016. b. Determine Genetic structure of each TNC-WCNP satellite herd including: i. Observed and expected heterozygosity ii. Estimated level of inbreeding and genetic diversity iii. Unique and/or rare alleles 2. Task Two: a. Genetically sample microsatellite allele and genotype frequencies to ensure these genetic values have remained constant in this population over the last 10 years. b. Conduct SNP-based BisonChip HD Array analysis. i. Investigate the integrity of WCNP bison genomes, with particular attention to potential cattle introgression. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREES TO: 1. Collect genetic samples and submit to the Recipient. 2. Work with the Recipient to provide tangible guidelines regarding the effective population size calculations required for the future management of these conservation bison herds managed as a single metepopulation. 3. Using guideline develop above, NPS will work with the Recipient to determine the metapopulation management policies for long-term conservation of existing diversity (i.e., culling practices and translocation between herds).

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