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The rediscovery of remnant Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) in southern Florida swamplands prompted a program to protect and stabilize the population. In 1995, conservation managers translocated eight female pumas (P. c. stanleyana) from Texas to increase depleted genetic diversity, improve population numbers, and reverse indications of inbreeding depression. We have assessed the demographic, population-genetic, and biomedical consequences of this restoration experiment and show that panther numbers increased threefold, genetic heterozygosity doubled, survival and fitness measures improved, and inbreeding correlates declined significantly. Although these results are encouraging, continued habitat loss, persistent inbreeding, infectious agents, and possible habitat saturation pose new dilemmas. This intensive management program illustrates the challenges of maintaining populations of large predators worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the effects of increased heterozygosity on the development of AIDS in patients infected with HIV-1. Delay of the onset of AIDS in those with maximum human leukocyte antigen (HLA) heterozygosity of class I loci; Homozygosity of loci and the development of AIDS; HLA class I alleles B*35 and Cw*04 associated with the development of AIDS in Caucasians; Heterozygosity and survival rate.