Genetic variability of pheasant (Phasianus spp) in breeding station Ristovača

One of the possible reasons for pheasant population number decline in past several years might be loss of adaptability in populations originated from breeding stations caused by inbreeding depression. Due to fact that adaptability is a consequence of genetic structure of the populations, the aim of this paper was the analysis of genetic variability in pheasant population from breeding station Ristovaca using molecular markers. Allozyme variability of 20 putative gene loci was detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Polymorphism was revealed in 5 loci: Est-1, Pgd, Sod, Gpi-2 and Odh. The values of genetic variability measures - heterozigosity polymorphism, fixation indices and H/P ratio indicate low level of genetic variability and possible presence of inbreeding depression within pheasant population