The discovery of a genetically distinct subpopulation of Haast tokoeka (Southern brown kiwi, Apteryx australis ‘Haast’)

Abstract The Haast tokoeka ( Apteryx australis ‘Haast’) is a threatened evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) of tokoeka or southern brown kiwi in Aotearoa New Zealand. In this study, we investigated the genetic relationships of a small newly discovered population of tokoeka located at Junction Hill near Haast, which is geographically isolated from other tokoeka populations. Using pin feathers collected from five individuals at Junction Hill, we analysed 15 microsatellite loci and 1283 base pairs from two mitochondrial DNA loci (control region and cytochrome b ( Cytb )) to compare our results with those previously generated for Haast ( n = 49), northern Fiordland ( n = 7), southern Fiordland ( n = 4), and Rakiura ( n = 12) tokoeka. Our results show that the Junction Hill individuals are Haast tokoeka, but display genetic differentiation in Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and genetic assignment plots from the nearest Haast tokoeka population 18 km away in the Upper Arawhata Valley. The five Junction Hill individuals all possess a unique mitochondrial DNA haplotype that has not been observed previously. The mean allelic richness of the Junction Hill population (1.82) was slightly lower compared to the main Haast population (2.13). The presence of the Junction Hill population provides both numerical and range increases for the Haast tokoeka, and potentially contributes valuable new genetic diversity to the taxon. Further monitoring and conservation actions, such as increased pest control and translocations, may be necessary to ensure the preservation of this population and its unique genetic traits.