Data from: Genetic consequences of a century of protection: serial founder events and survival of the little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii)

We present the outcome of a century of post-bottleneck isolation of a
long-lived species, the little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii, LSK) and
demonstrate that profound genetic consequences can result from protecting
few individuals in isolation. LSK were saved from extinction by
translocation of five birds from South Island, New Zealand to Kapiti
Island 100 years ago. The Kapiti population now numbers some 1200 birds
and provides founders for new populations. We used 15 microsatellite loci
to compare genetic variation among Kapiti LSK and the populations of Red
Mercury, Tiritiri Matangi and Long Islands that were founded with birds
from Kapiti. Two LSK native to D'Urville Island were also placed on
Long Island. We found extremely low genetic variation and signatures of
acute and recent genetic bottleneck effects in all four populations,
indicating that LSK have survived multiple genetic bottlenecks. The Long
Island population appears to have arisen from a single mating pair from
Kapiti, suggesting there is no genetic contribution from D'Urville
birds among extant LSK. The Ne/NC ratio of Kapiti Island LSK (0.03) is
exceptionally low for terrestrial vertebrates and suggests that genetic
diversity might still be eroding in this population, despite its large
census size.