The Bison Blog

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How can history impact a species’ future? Bison were nearly driven extinct in the late 1800s by overhunting and ranching. Today, scientists at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and across the continent are studying bison DNA to discover how that chapter of history changed their gene pool — and bison themselves — forever.

Preliminary Results of Bison Genetic Research

April 25, 2018 Posted by: Hazel Galloway

How do you get from an ancient bison tooth to a new understanding of how humans have impacted the bison gene pool? Find out!

bison, genetics, DNA, science

 

Spend a Day in the Field!

August 29, 2017 Posted by: Hazel Galloway

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Get the inside scoop on how park rangers and researchers collect DNA from bison in the field! In this video, bioscience technician Melissa Thompson explains the technique used to collect genetic samples without endangering the researchers or the animals. DNA from these samples is used to measure the genetic diversity of the herd, and gives us the tools to preserve genetic diversity here in the park, and across the continent.

bison, science, research, DNA

 

A Bottle Full of Bison

August 24, 2017 Posted by: Hazel Galloway

<a href="/thro/blogs/a-bottle-full-of-bison.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=5630550,a-bottle-full-of-bison.htm,30814|"><img align="left" alt="Model of genetic bottleneck using M&Ms" border="0" data-render="0|0|0|1|700|314" height="314" hspace="20" id="CP___PAGEID=5630550,a-bottle-full-of-bison.htm,30814||CPIMAGE:5630569|0|" src="/images/DSC04717_2.JPG" title="Genetic Bottleneck" vspace="0" width="700" /></a>
What do M&Ms have to do with bison? If you just pour our a few M&Ms randomly, the colors you get probably aren't going to match the larger population. In the same way, when 99.997% of the animals in a species disappear, the DNA of the species is forever changed. Like many other large mammals, the future of bison is shaped by their past...
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DNA, history, science, bison