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Shi L, Yang X, Cha M, Lyu T, Wang L, Zhou S, Dong Y, Dou H, Zhang H. Genetic diversity and structure of mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) populations in fragmented habitats. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:507. [PMID: 37648967 PMCID: PMC10469424 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) population has shown a considerable range of contractions and local extinctions over the last century, owing to habitat fragmentation and poaching. A thorough understanding of the genetic diversity and structure of Mongolian gazelle populations in fragmented habitats is critical for planning effective conservation strategies. RESULT In this study, we used eight microsatellite loci and mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) to compare the levels of genetic diversity and genetic structure of Mongolian gazelle populations in the Hulun Lake National Nature Reserve (HLH) with those in the China-Mongolia border area (BJ). The results showed that the nucleotide diversity and observed heterozygosity of the HLH population were lower than those of the BJ population. Moreover, the HLH and BJ populations showed genetic differentiation. We concluded that the HLH population had lower genetic diversity and a distinct genetic structure compared with the BJ population. CONCLUSION The genetic diversity of fragmented Mongolian gazelle populations, can be improved by protecting these populations while reinforcing their gene exchange with other populations. For example, attempts can be made to introduce new individuals with higher genetic diversity from other populations to reduce inbreeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lupeng Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiufeng Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province, China
| | - Muha Cha
- Hulunbuir Academy of Inland Lakes in Northern Cold & Arid Areas, Hulunbuir, China
| | - Tianshu Lyu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lidong Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shengyang Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yuehuan Dong
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province, China
| | - Huashan Dou
- Hulunbuir Academy of Inland Lakes in Northern Cold & Arid Areas, Hulunbuir, China
| | - Honghai Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong Province, China.
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Rey-Iglesia A, Hjort J, Silva TL, Buuveibaatar B, Dalannast M, Ulziisaikhan T, Chimeddorj B, Espregueira-Themudo G, Campos PF. Genetic diversity of the endangered Mongolian saiga antelope Saiga tatarica mongolica (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) provides insights into conservation. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blac074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is one of the few megafauna species from the mammoth steppe still living today. Currently, saiga are classified as critically endangered, persisting only in small areas of Central Asian steppe and desert ecosystems. The species is divided into two subspecies: Saiga tatarica mongolica and Saiga tatarica tatarica. In this study, we have for the first time characterized the genetic diversity of the Mongolian saiga (S. t. mongolica) using both mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers. We also analysed S. t. tatarica specimens in order to genetically compare both subspecies. The mitochondrial control region was sequenced for a total of 89 individuals: 20 skin, 53 umbilical cord, three placentae and a muscle sample from S. t. mongolica, and a total of 12 hair samples from S. t. tatarica. Additionally, 19 microsatellites developed for saiga antelope were also screened. Our results revealed that the Mongolian saiga presents very low genetic diversity at the mitochondrial level, with no shared mitochondrial haplotype between the two subspecies. Low genetic diversity is also present at the autosomal level, with most loci having low heterozygosity (Ho/He) and a low number of alleles per locus. Despite the low genetic diversity, we found no separation between the subpopulations in Mongolia, indicating that conservation corridors are actually promoting contact between different herds. Our results validate current conservation efforts and inform the implementation of new measures to increase the viability of the S. t. mongolica subspecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Rey-Iglesia
- GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Østervoldgade Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Jeanne Hjort
- Centre for Geogenetics, Natural History Museum Denmark, University of Copenhagen , Østervoldgade, Copenhagen , Denmark
| | - Teresa L Silva
- Microbiology and Infection Research Domain, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, University of Minho , Campus de Gualtar, Braga , Portugal
| | | | - Munkhnast Dalannast
- World Wide Fund for Nature, Mongolia Program Office , Ulaanbaatar , Mongolia
| | | | - Buyanaa Chimeddorj
- World Wide Fund for Nature, Mongolia Program Office , Ulaanbaatar , Mongolia
| | - Gonçalo Espregueira-Themudo
- CIIMAR Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto , Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, Matosinhos , Portugal
| | - Paula F Campos
- Centre for Geogenetics, Natural History Museum Denmark, University of Copenhagen , Østervoldgade, Copenhagen , Denmark
- CIIMAR Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto , Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, Matosinhos , Portugal
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LaCava MEF, Gagne RB, Stowell SML, Gustafson KD, Buerkle CA, Knox L, Ernest HB. Pronghorn population genomics show connectivity in the core of their range. J Mammal 2020; 101:1061-1071. [PMID: 33100929 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Preserving connectivity in the core of a species' range is crucial for long-term persistence. However, a combination of ecological characteristics, social behavior, and landscape features can reduce connectivity among wildlife populations and lead to genetic structure. Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), for example, exhibit fluctuating herd dynamics and variable seasonal migration strategies, but GPS tracking studies show that landscape features such as highways impede their movements, leading to conflicting hypotheses about expected levels of genetic structure. Given that pronghorn populations declined significantly in the early 1900s, have only partially recovered, and are experiencing modern threats from landscape modification, conserving connectivity among populations is important for their long-term persistence in North America. To assess the genetic structure and diversity of pronghorn in the core of their range, we genotyped 4,949 genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms and 11 microsatellites from 398 individuals throughout the state of Wyoming. We found no evidence of genetic subdivision and minimal evidence of isolation by distance despite a range that spans hundreds of kilometers, multiple mountain ranges, and three interstate highways. In addition, a rare variant analysis using putatively recent mutations found no genetic division between pronghorn on either side of a major highway corridor. Although we found no evidence that barriers to daily and seasonal movements of pronghorn impede gene flow, we suggest periodic monitoring of genetic structure and diversity as a part of management strategies to identify changes in connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie E F LaCava
- Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.,Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Roderick B Gagne
- Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Sierra M Love Stowell
- Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Kyle D Gustafson
- Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.,Department of Biology and Environmental Health, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO, USA
| | - C Alex Buerkle
- Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.,Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Lee Knox
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Holly B Ernest
- Wildlife Genomics and Disease Ecology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.,Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
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Imai S, Ito TY, Kinugasa T, Shinoda M, Tsunekawa A, Lhagvasuren B. Effects of spatiotemporal heterogeneity of forage availability on annual range size of Mongolian gazelles. J Zool (1987) 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Imai
- Arid Land Research Center Tottori University Tottori Japan
| | - T. Y. Ito
- Arid Land Research Center Tottori University Tottori Japan
| | - T. Kinugasa
- Department of Agriculture Tottori University Tottori Japan
| | - M. Shinoda
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies Nagoya University Nagoya Japan
| | - A. Tsunekawa
- Arid Land Research Center Tottori University Tottori Japan
| | - B. Lhagvasuren
- Institute of General and Experimental Biology Mongolian Academy of Sciences Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
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