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Singh A, Thakur M, Kumar Sharma L, Banerjee D. African or Asiatic origin? Genome analyses solved the mystery of the hybrid origin of the rescued lion cub. Gene 2022; 817:146228. [PMID: 35063578 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Species assignment of any seized material using DNA analysis has been a routine and widely accepted standard procedure in providing scientific advisory for the legal prosecution of wildlife cases. Scientific advancements and rigorous application of genetic tools have led to the development of a variety of molecular markers with their defined efficacy in wildlife forensics. However, in a few unusual cases where a hybrid needs to be identified or assignment need to be made at sub-species level, mitochondrial markers often fail or else provide biased results, which can affect the overall judgment in the court of law. Here, we report one such challenging case of lion cub rescued by the law enforcement from illegal trafficking. Phylogenetic assessment based on complete mitogenome assigned rescued lion cub with African lion (Panthera leo leo). However, the TSPY gene of the Y chromosome established that the lion cub shared its paternal lineage from Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). With the use of maternally and paternally inherited markers, we conclude a hybrid origin of the rescued lion cub which shared ancestry from both Asiatic as well as African lion. The present study exhibits the application of genome sequencing in thinking beyond routine identification and contributes to the operating procedures of wildlife forensics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Singh
- Zoological Survey of India, New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053, West Bengal, India.
| | - Mukesh Thakur
- Zoological Survey of India, New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053, West Bengal, India.
| | - Lalit Kumar Sharma
- Zoological Survey of India, New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053, West Bengal, India.
| | - Dhriti Banerjee
- Zoological Survey of India, New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053, West Bengal, India.
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Dalton DL, Pretorius C, de Klerk-Lorist LM, Reininghaus B, Buss P, Mitchell EP. Absence of 2899C<T Mutation in the WNK4 Gene in a Free-Ranging Lion (Panthera leo) with Polymyopathy. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030389. [PMID: 35158718 PMCID: PMC8833707 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Samples from an African lion cub in the Greater Kruger National Park area (South Africa), which could not walk, were tested for a gene mutation that causes one type of muscle weakness in domestic cats. The cause of the muscle weakness is believed to be genetic, but our study showed that the mutation that is found in similarly affected domestic cats was not present in the cub. Genetic diseases are more common in inbred animal populations, so this condition needs to be further evaluated to assist in the conservation of these magnificent creatures. Abstract Polyphasic skeletal muscle degeneration, necrosis and mineralization of skeletal muscle was diagnosed in eight juvenile free-ranging lions (Panthera leo), from five different litters in the Greater Kruger National Park area that were unable to walk properly. A detailed investigation was not possible in free-ranging lions, so the cause could not be determined. The cases resembled hypokalemic polymyopathy in domestic cats with muscle weakness. A candidate-gene approach previously identified a nonsense mutation in the gene coding for the enzyme lysine-deficient 4 protein kinase (WNK4) associated with the disease in Burmese and Tonkinese cats. In this study, we sequenced all 19 exons of the gene in one case, and two control samples, to identify possible mutations that may be associated with polymyopathy in free-ranging lions. Here, no mutations were detected in any of the exons sequenced. Our findings indicate that the WNK4 gene is not a major contributor to the condition in these lions. Further studies into the pathogenesis of this condition are needed to inform conservation policies for this vulnerable, iconic African species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiré L. Dalton
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (D.L.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Chantelle Pretorius
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (D.L.D.); (C.P.)
| | - Lin-Mari de Klerk-Lorist
- Skukuza State Veterinary Office & Laboratory, Directorate Animal Health, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Kruger National Park, P.O. Box 12, Skukuza 1350, South Africa;
| | - Bjorn Reininghaus
- Mpumulanga Veterinary Services, Thulamahashe, P/Bag X11309, Mbombela 1200, South Africa;
| | - Peter Buss
- Veterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, P.O. Box 86, Skukuza 1350, South Africa;
| | - Emily P. Mitchell
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (D.L.D.); (C.P.)
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, P/Bag X01, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, P/Bag X01, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
- Correspondence:
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Bertola LD, Miller SM, Williams VL, Naude VN, Coals P, Dures SG, Henschel P, Chege M, Sogbohossou EA, Ndiaye A, Kiki M, Gaylard A, Ikanda DK, Becker MS, Lindsey P. Genetic guidelines for translocations: Maintaining intraspecific diversity in the lion ( Panthera leo). Evol Appl 2022; 15:22-39. [PMID: 35126646 PMCID: PMC8792481 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation translocations have become an important management tool, particularly for large wildlife species such as the lion (Panthera leo). When planning translocations, the genetic background of populations needs to be taken into account; failure to do so risks disrupting existing patterns of genetic variation, ultimately leading to genetic homogenization, and thereby reducing resilience and adaptability of the species. We urge wildlife managers to include knowledge of the genetic background of source/target populations, as well as species-wide patterns, in any management intervention. We present a hierarchical decision-making tool in which we list 132 lion populations/lion conservation units and provide information on genetic assignment, uncertainty and suitability for translocation for each source/target combination. By including four levels of suitability, from 'first choice' to 'no option', we provide managers with a range of options. To illustrate the extent of international trade of lions, and the potential disruption of natural patterns of intraspecific diversity, we mined the CITES Trade Database for estimated trade quantities of live individuals imported into lion range states during the past 4 decades. We identified 1056 recorded individuals with a potential risk of interbreeding with wild lions, 772 being captive-sourced. Scoring each of the records with our decision-making tool illustrates that only 7% of the translocated individuals were 'first choice' and 73% were 'no option'. We acknowledge that other, nongenetic factors are important in the decision-making process, and hence a pragmatic approach is needed. A framework in which source/target populations are scored based on suitability is not only relevant to lion, but also to other species of wildlife that are frequently translocated. We hope that the presented overview supports managers to include genetics in future management decisions and contributes towards conservation of the lion in its full diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D. Bertola
- Department of BiologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- City College of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Susan M. Miller
- FitzPatrick Institute of African OrnithologyDSI‐NRF Centre of ExcellenceUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in AfricaUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Vivienne L. Williams
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Vincent N. Naude
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in AfricaUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Peter Coals
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | | | - Monica Chege
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)Leiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
- Kenya Wildlife ServiceNairobiKenya
| | | | | | - Martial Kiki
- Département de Génie de l’EnvironnementUniversité d’Abomey‐CalaviCotonouBenin
| | - Angela Gaylard
- Conservation Development & Assurance DepartmentAfrican Parks NetworkJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | | | | | - Peter Lindsey
- Department of Zoology and EntomologyMammal Research InstituteUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
- Environmental Futures Research InstituteGriffith UniversityNathanQueenslandAustralia
- Wildlife Conservation NetworkSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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Ching-Min Sun N, Chang SP, Lin JS, Tseng YW, Jai-Chyi Pei K, Hung KH. The genetic structure and mating system of a recovered Chinese pangolin population (Manis pentadactyla Linnaeus, 1758) as inferred by microsatellite markers. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Armstrong EE, Taylor RW, Miller DE, Kaelin CB, Barsh GS, Hadly EA, Petrov D. Long live the king: chromosome-level assembly of the lion (Panthera leo) using linked-read, Hi-C, and long-read data. BMC Biol 2020; 18:3. [PMID: 31915011 PMCID: PMC6950864 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-019-0734-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lion (Panthera leo) is one of the most popular and iconic feline species on the planet, yet in spite of its popularity, the last century has seen massive declines for lion populations worldwide. Genomic resources for endangered species represent an important way forward for the field of conservation, enabling high-resolution studies of demography, disease, and population dynamics. Here, we present a chromosome-level assembly from a captive African lion from the Exotic Feline Rescue Center (Center Point, IN) as a resource for current and subsequent genetic work of the sole social species of the Panthera clade. RESULTS Our assembly is composed of 10x Genomics Chromium data, Dovetail Hi-C, and Oxford Nanopore long-read data. Synteny is highly conserved between the lion, other Panthera genomes, and the domestic cat. We find variability in the length of runs of homozygosity across lion genomes, indicating contrasting histories of recent and possibly intense inbreeding and bottleneck events. Demographic analyses reveal similar ancient histories across all individuals during the Pleistocene except the Asiatic lion, which shows a more rapid decline in population size. We show a substantial influence on the reference genome choice in the inference of demographic history and heterozygosity. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that the choice of reference genome is important when comparing heterozygosity estimates across species and those inferred from different references should not be compared to each other. In addition, estimates of heterozygosity or the amount or length of runs of homozygosity should not be taken as reflective of a species, as these can differ substantially among individuals. This high-quality genome will greatly aid in the continuing research and conservation efforts for the lion, which is rapidly moving towards becoming a species in danger of extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryan W Taylor
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- End2EndGenomics, LLC, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Danny E Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital and The University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christopher B Kaelin
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gregory S Barsh
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Dmitri Petrov
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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7
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Deep Uncertainty, Public Reason, the Conservation of Biodiversity and the Regulation of Markets for Lion Skeletons. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11185085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Public reason is a formal concept in political theory. There is a need to better understand how public reason might be elicited in making public decisions that involve deep uncertainty, which arises from pernicious and gross ignorance about how a system works, the boundaries of a system, and the relative value (or disvalue) of various possible outcomes. This article is the third in a series to demonstrate how ethical argument analysis—a qualitative decision-making aid—may be used to elicit public reason in the presence of deep uncertainty. The first article demonstrated how argument analysis is capable of probing deep into a single argument. The second article demonstrated how argument analysis can analyze a broad set of arguments and how argument analysis can be operationalized for use as a decision-making aid. This article demonstrates (i) the relevance of argument analysis to public reasoning, (ii) the relevance of argument analysis for decision-making under deep uncertainty, an emerging direction in decision theory, and (iii) how deep uncertainty can arise when the boundary between facts and values is inescapably entangled. This article and the previous two make these demonstrations using, as an example, the conservation and sustainable use of lions.
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Moore MK, Frazier K. Humans Are Animals, Too: Critical Commonalities and Differences Between Human and Wildlife Forensic Genetics. J Forensic Sci 2019; 64:1603-1621. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 03/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Katherine Moore
- Forensic Laboratory Conservation Biology Division Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 219 Fort Johnson Road Charleston SC29412
| | - Kim Frazier
- Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Forensic and Fish Health Laboratory 1212 South Adams Street Laramie WY 82070
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Polymorphic microsatellite loci and partial mitogenome for the Chestnut-bellied Seed-finch Sporophila angolensis (Aves, Passeriformes) using next generation sequencing. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:4617-4623. [PMID: 31069613 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04848-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Brazil is one of the major contributors to international trade in wildlife and species of the bird genus Sporophila are currently under threat due to illegal trade. Microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA constitute important molecular markers for population genetics studies and parentage analyses, and hold great potential to help authorities manage illegal trafficking and control commercial breeders. We describe and characterize 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci and recover part of the mitochondrial genome for Sporophila angolensis using massive parallel sequencing with the Illumina platform. DNA sequencing resulted in a dataset with 2,379,295 paired reads, of which 392 were mapped to the mitogenome of S. maximiliani, resulting in a partial mitogenome of 16,785 bp for S. angolensis. The microsatellite search identified a total of 4737 loci, from which 27 primer pairs were tested on 24 individuals of unknown geographic origin. Nineteen of the 27 loci were successfully amplified and exhibited high levels of genetic variation, with a mean of 11.2 alleles per locus, a mean observed heterozygosity of 0.588 and a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.852. About half of the loci showed significant evidence for the presence of a null allele and significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; the remaining eight loci had high paternity exclusion probabilities and low identity probabilities. The high levels of polymorphism for these loci, as well as their high paternity exclusion probability and low identity probability, indicate that they hold potential for parentage analyses and population genetics studies of S. angolensis.
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Curry CJ, Derr JN. Development of Lion MiniSTRs for Use with Modern and Historical DNA Samples. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.3957/056.049.0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin J. Curry
- Interdisciplinary Program of Genetics, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, U.S.A
| | - James N. Derr
- Interdisciplinary Program of Genetics, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, U.S.A
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Tahoor A, Khan JA, Mahfooz S. A comparative survey of microsatellites among wild and domestic cat provides valuable resources for marker development. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:3025-3033. [PMID: 30864111 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04739-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Information on the level and distribution of genetic variation is important for conservation plan of captive population of an endangered species such as tiger and cheetah. We assayed the frequency of microsatellites in the genomic and genic sequences of wild cats (Panthera tigris, Acinonyx jubatus) and compared it with the domestic cat (Felis catus). Frequency, relative abundance and density of microsatellites were highest in the domestic cat when compared with wild cats. The frequency of microsatellites was positively correlated with the G+C content of genomic and genic sequences. The maximum frequency of microsatellites among all three sequence sets was of di-nucleotide repeats (genomic-88.1%; genic-70.4%), whereas the hexa-nucleotide repeat represents < 0.5%. Motif conservation study among the genomic and genic sequences revealed conservation of 81.3% and 51.0% motif within the members of family Felidae. A total 40,233 primers from genic sequences were designed in order to enrich the members of family Felidae with genomic resources. The designed primers could be useful in determining the molecular genetics of population structure and individualization of a particular cat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azram Tahoor
- Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202002, India
| | - Jamal Ahmad Khan
- Department of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202002, India
| | - Sahil Mahfooz
- Department of Biotechnology, V.B.S. Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, 222003, India. .,Division of Plant Microbe Interaction, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Ranapratap Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226001, India.
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Lima-Rezende CA, Fernandes GA, Silva HED, Dobkowski-Marinho S, Santos VF, Rodrigues FP, Caparroz R. In silico identification and characterization of novel microsatellite loci for the Blue-and-yellow Macaw Ara ararauna (Linnaeus, 1758) (Psittaciformes, Psittacidae). Genet Mol Biol 2019; 42:68-73. [PMID: 30730527 PMCID: PMC6428127 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2017-0338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The illegal trade is a major threat to many bird species, and parrots are common
victims of this activity. Domestic and international pet markets are interested
on different parrot species, such as the Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara
ararauna). This South American macaw is not globally threatened,
but is under protection from over-exploitation. This study aimed to identify and
characterize novel microsatellite loci for population and parentage analysis of
A. ararauna. Scaffold sequences of Ara
macao available in the NCBI database were used for microsatellite
searches using MsatCommander software. We tested a total of 28 loci, from which
25 were polymorphic, one was monomorphic, and two did not generated
amplification products. For polymorphic loci, the mean number of alleles was
8.24 (4 – 15 alleles per locus), the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.333
to 0.917, and the expected heterozygosity from 0.353 to 0.890. The paternity
exclusion probability and identity probability were highly discriminatory. Thus,
these novel microsatellite markers can be useful for population assignment and
paternity tests, helping the authorities to manage macaws from the illegal
trafficking and control commercial breeders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cássia Alves Lima-Rezende
- Laboratório de Genética e Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética e Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Aparecida Fernandes
- Laboratório de Genética e Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética e Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Helder Elias da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética e Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética e Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Sarah Dobkowski-Marinho
- Laboratório de Genética e Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética e Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Victor Fernandes Santos
- Laboratório de Genética e Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética e Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Fernando Pacheco Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Genética e Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética e Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Renato Caparroz
- Laboratório de Genética e Biodiversidade, Departamento de Genética e Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
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Corner S, Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan V, Agnew D, Venta PJ. Development of a 12-plex of new microsatellite markers using a novel universal primer method to evaluate the genetic diversity of jaguars (Panthera onca) from North American zoological institutions. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-018-1070-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Beukes BO, Radloff FG, Ferreira SM. Estimating African Lion Abundance in the Southwestern Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.3957/056.047.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Miller SM, Clarke AB, Bloomer P, Guthrie AJ, Harper CK. Evaluation of microsatellites for common ungulates in the South African wildlife industry. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-016-0554-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Fenced and Fragmented: Conservation Value of Managed Metapopulations. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144605. [PMID: 26699333 PMCID: PMC4689424 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Population fragmentation is threatening biodiversity worldwide. Species that once roamed vast areas are increasingly being conserved in small, isolated areas. Modern management approaches must adapt to ensure the continued survival and conservation value of these populations. In South Africa, a managed metapopulation approach has been adopted for several large carnivore species, all protected in isolated, relatively small, reserves that are fenced. As far as possible these approaches are based on natural metapopulation structures. In this network, over the past 25 years, African lions (Panthera leo) were reintroduced into 44 fenced reserves with little attention given to maintaining genetic diversity. To examine the situation, we investigated the current genetic provenance and diversity of these lions. We found that overall genetic diversity was similar to that in a large national park, and included a mixture of four different southern African evolutionarily significant units (ESUs). This mixing of ESUs, while not ideal, provides a unique opportunity to study the impact of mixing ESUs over the long term. We propose a strategic managed metapopulation plan to ensure the maintenance of genetic diversity and improve the long-term conservation value of these lions. This managed metapopulation approach could be applied to other species under similar ecological constraints around the globe.
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