Declaration Dr. Thomas H. Pringle - Buffalo Field Campaign

Chapter 3.
Genetic Population Structure in the Greater Yellowstone
Bison Revealed by Mitochondrial DNA Analyses
Abstract: The Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) populations are crucial for conservation
of wild bison (Bison bison). The GYA provides the only place in the United States where
the ecology and population genetic structure of free ranging plains bison populations may
be observed. There are three locations where breeding groups congregate within YNP
during the rut season; Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley, and Mirror Plateau. Bison in Grand
Teton National Park (GTNP) primarily congregate in Antelope Flats during the rut. Non-
invasive sampling and mitochondrial DNA studies were conducted to assess population
subdivision. We hypothesized that fidelity to breeding areas would result in genetic
differences among GYA breeding groups. Non-invasive fecal samples were collected
from bison within the geographic locations of breeding groups during two consecutive rut
seasons. We used sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)
analysis of a 470 bp segment of the bison mtDNA control region to assess population
structure. We found substantial differentiation between YNP and GTNP populations (FST
= 0.1912, p < 0.001). We also found substantial differences in haplotype frequencies
between the Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley breeding groups (FST = 0.3667, p < 0.001).
Within Hayden Valley haplotype frequencies were different between two consecutive
years (FST = 0. 0536, p < 0.05). However, the genetic differences between the Lamar
Valley and Hayden Valley were highly significant for both 2005 and 2006. The relatively
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