Abstract
We established a non-invasive DNA sampling method to assess the genetic diversity of the Japanese rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta japonica inhabiting Mt. Tateyama. We collected 102 fecal samples and, in 50, determined the haplotype of the mitochondrial DNA control region. The success of DNA isolation depended on the form and freshness of the fecal samples. We detected three haplotypes, including a novel haplotype, suggesting that the genetic diversity of the Mt. Tateyama population is comparable to or greater than that of other populations. Mismatch distribution analysis suggested that the Mt. Tateyama population experienced a recent sudden expansion, probably reflecting a bottleneck during a warmer era 6,000?9,000 years ago, followed by population recovery.
