Genetic rescue restores long-term viability of an isolated population of adders (Vipera berus)

Abstract

Madsen et al. show substantial long term (26 years) population demography and genetic benefits of genetic rescue of an initially inbred adder (Vipera berus) population. A post-rescue genetic bottleneck did not affect population genetic diversity. To be successful large numbers of novel alleles should be introduced into the focal population.