1
|
Ash E, Cushman S, Kaszta Ż, Landguth E, Redford T, Macdonald DW. Female-biased introductions produce higher predicted population size and genetic diversity in simulations of a small, isolated tiger (Panthera tigris) population. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11199. [PMID: 37433862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36849-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Isolation of wildlife populations represents a key conservation challenge in the twenty-first century. This may necessitate consideration of translocations to ensure population viability. We investigated the potential population and genetic trajectory of a small, isolated tiger (Panthera tigris) population in Thailand's Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex across a range of scenarios. Using an individual-based, spatially-explicit population modelling approach, we simulate population and genetic trajectories and evaluate the relative impact of translocations from a related population. Population and genetic trajectories in our study were most sensitive to sex and number of individuals translocated and translocation frequency. Translocation of females produced consistently higher population, allelic richness, and heterozygosity compared to equal numbers of males. Despite population increases, declines in allelic richness and heterozygosity across simulations were stark, with simulations predicting a mean decline of allelic richness and heterozygosity of 46.5% and 53.5% without intervention, respectively. Translocations of four females every generation or every other generation were required to prevent substantial heterozygosity declines. While translocations could increase population size, they may fail to prevent long-term loss of genetic diversity in small populations unless applied frequently. This reinforces the importance of incorporating realistic processes of genetic inheritance and gene flow in modelling small populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Ash
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Tubney, OX13 5QL, Oxon, UK.
| | - Samuel Cushman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Tubney, OX13 5QL, Oxon, UK
| | - Żaneta Kaszta
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Tubney, OX13 5QL, Oxon, UK
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 617 S Beaver, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Erin Landguth
- School of Public and Community Health Sciences, Center for Population Health Research, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT, 59812, USA
| | - Tim Redford
- Freeland Foundation, Lumpini Ville Phahon-Sutthisan, 23/90 7th Floor, Bldg. B, Sutthisan Winitchai Rd., Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - David W Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Tubney, OX13 5QL, Oxon, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Assessing tiger corridor functionality with landscape genetics and modelling across Terai-Arc landscape, India. CONSERV GENET 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01460-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
3
|
Bhattacharjee A, Sadadev BM, Karmacharya DK, Baral R, Pérez‐García JM, Giménez Casalduero A, Sánchez‐Zapata JA, Anadón JD. Local ecological knowledge and education drive farmers' contrasting perceptions of scavengers and their function in Nepal. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biology, Queens College City University of New York Queens NY USA
- Biology Doctoral Program, Graduate Center City University of New York New York NY USA
| | | | | | - Rishi Baral
- National Trust for Nature Conservation Annapurna Conservation Area Project Pokhara Nepal
| | | | | | | | - José D. Anadón
- Department of Biology, Queens College City University of New York Queens NY USA
- Biology Doctoral Program, Graduate Center City University of New York New York NY USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
DNA matchmaking in captive facilities: a case study with tigers. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:4107-4114. [PMID: 35359235 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07376-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetics driven interventions if adopted in conservation breeding projects may enhance the overall success by prioritizing breeding among genetically most competent individuals and delaying or completely diminishing the ill effects of inbreeding. METHODS AND RESULTS In the present study, we investigated genetic make-up of 15 tigers housed at five different captive facilities of West Bengal in India and report the moderate level of genetic variation. We identified five tigers based on individual genetic attributes that may be prioritized for future breeding or animal exchange programmes. The occurrence of first and second order related individuals in captivity require management attention and they should be paired considering their immediate genetic background. CONCLUSION Considering tiger as a case study, we highlight the use of genetic assessment and necessity to validate the studbook records in formulating adaptive management strategies for long-term conservation and management of species of interest.
Collapse
|
5
|
Whole genome survey of big cats (Genus: Panthera) identifies novel microsatellites of utility in conservation genetic study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14164. [PMID: 34238947 PMCID: PMC8266911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92781-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Big cats (Genus: Panthera) are among the most threatened mammal groups of the world, owing to hunting, habitat loss, and illegal transnational trade. Conservation genetic studies and effective curbs on poaching are important for the conservation of these charismatic apex predators. A limited number of microsatellite markers exists for Panthera species and researchers often cross-amplify domestic cat microsatellites to study these species. We conducted data mining of seven Panthera genome sequences to discover microsatellites for conservation genetic studies of four threatened big cat species. A total of 32 polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in silico and tested with 152 big cats, and were found polymorphic in most of the tested species. We propose a set of 12 novel microsatellite markers for use in conservation genetics and wildlife forensic investigations of big cat species. Cumulatively, these markers have a high discriminatory power of one in a million for unrelated individuals and one in a thousand for siblings. Similar PCR conditions of these markers increase the prospects of achieving efficient multiplex PCR assays. This study is a pioneering attempt to synthesise genome wide microsatellite markers for big cats.
Collapse
|
6
|
Trends in Wildlife Connectivity Science from the Biodiverse and Human-Dominated South Asia. J Indian Inst Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-021-00240-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
7
|
Pandey P, Hyun JY, Yu M, Lee H. Microsatellite characterization and development of unified STR panel for big cats in captivity: a case study from a Seoul Grand Park Zoo, Republic of Korea. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:1935-1942. [PMID: 33566223 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06202-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The zoos manage small populations of endangered big cat species like tiger, lion, and leopard for display, research, and conservation breeding. Genetic management of these populations is essential to ensure long term survival and conservation utility. Here we propose a simple and cost effective microsatellite based protocol for the genetic management of captive big cats. We sampled 36 big cat individuals from Seoul Grand Park Zoo (Republic of Korea) and amplified 33 published microsatellite loci. Overall, allelic richness and gene diversity was found highest for leopards, followed by lions and tigers. Twelve of the thirty-three markers showed a high degree of polymorphism across all target species. These microsatellites provide a high degree of discrimination for tiger (1.45 × 10-8), lion (1.54 × 10-10), and leopard (1.88 × 10-12) and thus can be adopted for the genetic characterization of big cats in accredited zoos globally. During captive breeding, zoo authorities rely on pedigree records maintained in studbooks to ensure mating of genetically fit unrelated individuals. Several studies have reported errors in studbook records of big cat species. Microsatellites are simple and cost effective tool for DNA fingerprinting, estimation of genetic diversity, and paternity assessment. Our unified microsatellite panel (12-plex) for big cats is efficient and can easily be adopted by zoo authorities for regular population management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Puneet Pandey
- Conservation Genome Resource Bank for Korean Wildlife and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1 Gwanak-gu, Gwanak-ro, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jee Yun Hyun
- Conservation Genome Resource Bank for Korean Wildlife and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1 Gwanak-gu, Gwanak-ro, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mihyeon Yu
- Seoul Grand Park Zoo, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hang Lee
- Conservation Genome Resource Bank for Korean Wildlife and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1 Gwanak-gu, Gwanak-ro, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bhattacharyya S, Ishtiaq F. Noninvasive sampling reveals population genetic structure in the Royle's pika, Ochotona roylei, in the western Himalaya. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:180-191. [PMID: 30680105 PMCID: PMC6342111 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding population genetic structure of climate-sensitive herbivore species is important as it provides useful insights on how shifts in environmental conditions can alter their distribution and abundance. Herbivore responses to the environment can have a strong indirect cascading effect on community structure. This is particularly important for Royle's pika (Lagomorpha: Ochotona roylei), a herbivorous talus-dwelling species in alpine ecosystem, which forms a major prey base for many carnivores in the Himalayan arc. In this study, we used seven polymorphic microsatellite loci to detect evidence for recent changes in genetic diversity and population structure in Royle's pika across five locations sampled between 8 and 160 km apart in the western Himalaya. Using four clustering approaches, we found the presence of significant contemporary genetic structure in Royle's pika populations. The detected genetic structure could be primarily attributed to the landscape features in alpine habitat (e.g., wide lowland valleys, rivers) that may act as semipermeable barriers to gene flow and distribution of food plants, which are key determinants in spatial distribution of herbivores. Pika showed low inbreeding coefficients (F IS) and a high level of pairwise relatedness for individuals within 1 km suggesting low dispersal abilities of talus-dwelling pikas. We have found evidence of a recent population bottleneck, possibly due to effects of environmental disturbances (e.g., snow melting patterns or thermal stress). Our results reveal significant evidence of isolation by distance in genetic differentiation (F ST range = 0.04-0.19). This is the first population genetics study on Royle's pika, which helps to address evolutionary consequences of climate change which are expected to significantly affect the distribution and population dynamics in this talus-dwelling species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Farah Ishtiaq
- Centre for Ecological SciencesIndian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Karmacharya D, Sherchan AM, Dulal S, Manandhar P, Manandhar S, Joshi J, Bhattarai S, Bhatta TR, Awasthi N, Sharma AN, Bista M, Silwal NR, Pokharel P, Lamichhane RR, Sharma N, Llewellyn B, Wultsch C, Kelly MJ, Gour D, Waits L, Hero JM, Hughes J. Species, sex and geo-location identification of seized tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) parts in Nepal-A molecular forensic approach. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201639. [PMID: 30138352 PMCID: PMC6107122 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tiger (Panthera tigris) populations are in danger across their entire range due to habitat loss, poaching and the demand for tiger parts. The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is an endangered apex predator with a population size estimated to be less than 200 in Nepal. In spite of strict wildlife protection laws, illegal trade of tiger parts is increasing; and Nepal has become one of the major sources and transit routes for poached wildlife parts. Identification of wildlife parts is often challenging for law enforcement officials due to inadequate training and lack of available tools. Here, we describe a molecular forensic approach to gain insight into illegally trafficked tiger parts seized across Nepal. We created Nepal's first comprehensive reference genetic database of wild tigers through the Nepal Tiger Genome Project (2011-2013). This database has nuclear DNA microsatellite genotype and sex profiles, including geo-spatial information, of over 60% (n = 120) of the wild tigers of Nepal. We analyzed 15 putative cases of confiscated poached tiger parts and all were confirmed to be of tiger. Ten samples were identified as male and five were female. We determined probable geo-source location for 9 of the 14 samples with 6-8 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci using inferences from four different statistical assignment methods. Six samples were assigned to Bardia National Park and one of these was an exact match to a female tiger previously profiled in our fecal DNA reference database. Two tiger samples were assigned to Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and one to Chitwan National Park. We are unable to definitively assign five tiger samples which could be offspring dispersers or might have come from tiger population outside of Nepal. Our study revealed that the western region, particularly Bardia National Park, is a poaching hotspot for illegal tiger trade in Nepal. We present feasibility of using molecular forensic based evidence to incriminate criminals in a court of law in the fight against wildlife crime.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dibesh Karmacharya
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Thapathali-11, Kathmandu, Nepal
- School of Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Santosh Dulal
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Thapathali-11, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Prajwol Manandhar
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Thapathali-11, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Jyoti Joshi
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Thapathali-11, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Susmita Bhattarai
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Thapathali-11, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Tarka R. Bhatta
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Thapathali-11, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Nagendra Awasthi
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Thapathali-11, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ajay N. Sharma
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Thapathali-11, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Manisha Bista
- Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Thapathali-11, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Nawa R. Silwal
- Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Pillar 4, Nepal Police, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Pravin Pokharel
- Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Pillar 4, Nepal Police, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Rom R. Lamichhane
- Bio-Diversity Section, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Netra Sharma
- Environment Team, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Bronwyn Llewellyn
- Environment Team, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Claudia Wultsch
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Natural History Museum, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Marcella J. Kelly
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Digpal Gour
- Laboratory for Ecological, Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Lisette Waits
- Laboratory for Ecological, Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Jean-Marc Hero
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Hughes
- School of Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sarkar MS, Krishnamurthy R, Johnson JA, Sen S, Saha GK. Assessment of fine-scale resource selection and spatially explicit habitat suitability modelling for a re-introduced tiger ( Panthera tigris) population in central India. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3920. [PMID: 29114438 PMCID: PMC5672835 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large carnivores influence ecosystem functions at various scales. Thus, their local extinction is not only a species-specific conservation concern, but also reflects on the overall habitat quality and ecosystem value. Species-habitat relationships at fine scale reflect the individuals' ability to procure resources and negotiate intraspecific competition. Such fine scale habitat choices are more pronounced in large carnivores such as tiger (Panthera tigris), which exhibits competitive exclusion in habitat and mate selection strategies. Although landscape level policies and conservation strategies are increasingly promoted for tiger conservation, specific management interventions require knowledge of the habitat correlates at fine scale. METHODS We studied nine radio-collared individuals of a successfully reintroduced tiger population in Panna Tiger Reserve, central India, focussing on the species-habitat relationship at fine scales. With 16 eco-geographical variables, we performed Manly's selection ratio and K-select analyses to define population-level and individual-level variation in resource selection, respectively. We analysed the data obtained during the exploratory period of six tigers and during the settled period of eight tigers separately, and compared the consequent results. We further used the settled period characteristics to model and map habitat suitability based on the Mahalanobis D2 method and the Boyce index. RESULTS There was a clear difference in habitat selection by tigers between the exploratory and the settled period. During the exploratory period, tigers selected dense canopy and bamboo forests, but also spent time near villages and relocated village sites. However, settled tigers predominantly selected bamboo forests in complex terrain, riverine forests and teak-mixed forest, and totally avoided human settlements and agriculture areas. There were individual variations in habitat selection between exploratory and settled periods. Based on threshold limits of habitat selection by the Boyce Index, we established that 83% of core and 47% of buffer areas are now suitable habitats for tiger in this reserve. DISCUSSION Tiger management often focuses on large-scale measures, but this study for the first time highlights the behaviour and fine-scale individual-specific habitat selection strategies. Such knowledge is vital for management of critical tiger habitats and specifically for the success of reintroduction programs. Our spatially explicit habitat suitability map provides a baseline for conservation planning and optimizing carrying capacity of the tiger population in this reserve.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mriganka Shekhar Sarkar
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.,Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Ramesh Krishnamurthy
- Department of Landscape Level Planning and Management, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Jeyaraj A Johnson
- Department of Habitat Ecology, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Subharanjan Sen
- Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Indian Forest Service, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Goutam Kumar Saha
- Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Evidence of Recent Fine-Scale Population Structuring in South American Puma concolor. DIVERSITY 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/d9040044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|