Gaps in genetic knowledge affect conservation management of kiwi (Apteryx) species

Worldwide, there is growing appreciation of the importance of integrating
genetic information into conservation management. However, there are
commonly occurring problems which impact on doing this successfully. This
issue is well illustrated by kiwi Apteryx species. Like
many endangered taxa, extant kiwi populations are small, fragmented and
isolated, raising concerns of potential inbreeding depression.
Accordingly, kiwi conservation includes discussion of genetic management
and translocations. To date, kiwi taxa have been the subject of 41 genetic
studies. Here we provide the first synthesized review of these studies. We
conclude that despite the impressive study effort, current understanding
of kiwi genetics is insufficient to guide genetic management, predict
translocation outcomes and manage biological diversity to achieve future
sustainability of the species. We explain why, and outline research
questions that can be addressed with new genome science technologies.
Using new technologies to build on the foundation of work already
undertaken, we see a great opportunity to address key issues for North
Island Brown Kiwi Apteryx mantelli that are central to
the conservation concerns for many threatened species. Specifically, we
suggest that historical, disjunct, mainland populations combined with
translocations of North Island Brown Kiwi to offshore islands have
generated unique case studies to investigate the effects of fragmentation,
cessation of gene flow, inbreeding, outbreeding and hybridization on
biological diversity.