Tessa Tjepkes – Biology seminar 12/04/2015
“Genetic analysis of moose populations from Minnesota and Yellowstone National Park”
ABSTRACT
The ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions is critical for the long-term persistence
of a population or species. By assessing the amount and geographic distribution of genetic
variation in moose we can better understand how microevolutionary processes and landscape
features have influenced that variation. My research project had three primary objectives: (1) to
compare the efficacy of DNA extraction from different biological samples, (2) to assess and
compare genetic diversity indices in two moose populations that are declining, the northern range
of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and northeastern Minnesota (MN), and (3) to genotype a
subset of MN moose at a locus known to be associated with chronic wasting disease in other
cervid populations. DNA for genetic analyses was extracted from blood, tissue, and pellets.
Extracted DNA from all source types was sufficient for genotyping using 15 microsatellites;
however, DNA from pellets was both lower quality and quantity than DNA from blood and
tissue. Overall genetic variability was greater in MN than YNP moose. Average allelic richness
was 5.50 in MN and 5.00 in YNP. Observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.50 (±0.19)
and 0.58 (±0.18) in MN and 0.46 (±0.25) and 0.50 (±0.19) in YNP moose, respectively.
Similarities between estimated observed and expected heterozygosities, along with results of
Bayesian clustering assignment in STRUCTURE, indicate there is little evidence of population
structure in either moose population. These results provide valuable comparisons of efficiency
and effectiveness of DNA extraction protocols for tissue, blood, and fecal pellets. I have also
created baseline population genetic data that can be used to detect future genetic changes in these
populations.