Systematic classification of black bears in the southeastern United States

Abstract

I assessed genetic variation within and between 18 American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the southeastern United States using multilocus DNA fingerprinting techniques (Hinf I restriction digests, Jeffreys’ 33.15 probe). Band-sharing data indicated that American black bear populations (U. a. americanus) exhibit Significantly less genetic similarity both within and between populations (similarity within=0.66, similarity between=0.40) than do the Louisiana (U. a. luteolus) (similarity within=0.75, similarity between=0.58) and Florida (U. a. floridanus) (similarity within=0.75, Similarity between=0.57) black bear populations (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test, α=0.05 for multiple comparisons). Louisiana and Florida black bear populations share the same degree of genetic similarity within and between populations, and are more closely related to each other than they are to American black bear populations (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test, α=0.05 for multiple comparisons). I conclude that, based on genetic data, separate subspecies status may or may not be warranted for the Florida and Louisiana black bears; however, both groups of populations should be considered as distinct population segments for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

I also assessed any genetic effects that may have been caused by translocation of bears from Minnesota to Louisiana and Arkansas. Analysis of band-sharing data indicated that any genetic impacts that may have been caused by the translocations were not statistically Significant. The bear population in Cook County, MN exhibits less within-population genetic similarity (similarity within=0.57) than bear populations in Louisiana and Arkansas (Similarities within=0.74). Populations in Louisiana and Arkansas are more closely related to each other (Similarity between=0.53) than they are to the population in Minnesota (similarity between=0.34) (p<0.001, Mann-Whitney test). These findings are in agreement with previous genetic and morphological studies of black bear populations in the southeastern United States.