Genetic Population Substructure in Bison at Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park's bison herd, one of the few populations continuously existing on its current landscape since pre-Columbian times, exhibits significant genetic substructure. Research using multilocus Bayesian clustering analysis revealed two distinct and clearly defined subpopulations with differentiation levels nearing those seen in geographically isolated populations for over 40 years. These clusters correlated strongly with sampling locations and displayed critical differences in migration patterns across years, particularly around winter cull sites. The study highlights the importance of understanding cryptic population subdivision for effective wildlife management.

Halbert, N. D., Gogan, P. J. P., Hedrick, P. W., Wahl, J. M., & Derr, J. N. (2012). Genetic Population Substructure in Bison at Yellowstone National Park. Journal of Heredity, 103(3), 360–370. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esr140