Molecular genetic consequences of a population bottleneck associated with reintroduction of the Mauna Kea silversword (Argyoxiphium sandwicense ssp. Sandwicense (Asteraceae)

Author:

Robichaux, Robert H., Friar, Elizabeth A., Mount, David W.

Title:

Molecular genetic consequences of a population bottleneck associated with reintroduction of the Mauna Kea silversword (Argyoxiphium sandwicense ssp. Sandwicense (Asteraceae)

Periodical:

Conservation Biology

Year:

1997

Volume:

11

Pages:

1140-1146

Subject:

Silverswords Mauna Kea Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp.sandwicense Ahinahina

Summary:

The endangered Mauna Kea silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense ssp. sandwicense) is endemic to the Mauna Kea volcano on the island of Hawaii. However, due to the introduction of sheep and other alien ungulates that were brought to the island of Hawaii by European voyagers in 1793 and 1794, the A. sandwicense ssp. sandwicense has declined precipitously in distribution and abundance over the years due to intensive browsing from the ungulates. Since only a small remnant natural population of this plant species persisted on Mauna Kea by the late 1970s, it became a part of a major recovery effort. This document describes an outplanting program that was initiated by The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, in the 1970s in an effort to promote the recovery of A. sandwicense ssp. sandwicense, an aggressive hunting program that was designed to remove sheep and other ungulates from the upper slopes of Mauna Kea in the 1980s, and other steps that were taken in an effort to increase the population of the Mauna Kea silversword.

Label:

Silverswords

URL:

http://cletus.uhh.hawaii.edu:2074/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1997.96314.x

Date:

1997

Collection:

Periodicals