Comparison of genetic variability in wild insular and mainland populations of Eulemur macaco: implications for...

DNA fingerprinting analysis was used to investigate genetic variability within and between three wild populations of Eulemur macaco living on two islands and on the mainland. The analyses revealed that the genetic variability of the population from the smaller island was, as expected, lower than that from the larger island. Surprisingly, on the larger island the genetic variability was greater than on the mainland. These results, in agreement with those previously obtained from blood markers, are discussed in relation to the history of these populations. In addition, the study suggests that settlement of the smallest island was not only by animals originating from the mainland, as previously proposed on the basis of blood marker data, but also by lemurs from the nearby, larger, island. Evidence is presented that reliable information about population structure can be derived only from studies using different genetic markers. This information is important to enable appropriate conservation programmes to be designed.