Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs
Abstract
No genetic variation was observed for three proteins examined from samples of saliva from 22 black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes). The comparable data concerning levels of genetic variation in other taxa at these loci are too inconclusive to provide a meaningful interpretation of the observed absence of genetic variation. The absence of genetic variation observed in the black-footed ferret population is compatible with the reported levels of genetic variation in terrestrial carnivores and populations that have undergone bottlenecks. Suggestions for additonal studies using different approaches both to increase the number of loci that are used to determine the level of genetic variability in the black-footed ferret and to provide a more meaningful comparative data base are provided.
Recommended Citation
Kilpatrick, C. William; Forrest, Steven C.; and Clark, Tim W.
(1986)
"Estimating genetic variation in the black-footed ferret—a first attempt,"
Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs: Vol. 8, Article 12.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbnm/vol8/iss1/12