Low Bottleneck Detection in Long-Lived Species Despite Lost Genetic Diversity: A Case Study of Tuatara and Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes.

Population bottlenecks can reduce genetic diversity and may lead to inbreeding depression. However, some studies have provided evidence that long lifespans buffer negative genetic effects of bottlenecks. Others have cautioned that longevity might merely mask the effects of genetic drift, which will still affect long-term population viability.

Microsatellite and major histocompatibility complex variation in an endangered rattlesnake, the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus).

Genetic diversity is fundamental to maintaining the long-term viability of populations, yet reduced genetic variation is often associated with small, isolated populations. To examine the relationship between demography and genetic variation, variation at hypervariable loci (e.g.