1
|
Mitochondrial DNA variation of the caracal (Caracal caracal) in Iran and range-wide phylogeographic comparisons. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00328-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
2
|
Rasphone A, Bousa A, Vongkhamheng C, Kamler JF, Johnson A, Macdonald DW. Diet and prey selection of clouded leopards and tigers in Laos. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9067. [PMID: 35813929 PMCID: PMC9257375 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In Southeast Asia, conservation of ‘Vulnerable’ clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) and ‘Endangered’ tigers (Panthera tigris) might depend on the management of their preferred prey because large felid populations are limited by the availability of suitable prey. However, the diet of clouded leopards has never been determined, so the preferred prey of this felid remains unknown. The diet of tigers in the region has been studied only from one protected‐area complex in western Thailand, but prey preferences were not determined. To better understand the primary and preferred prey of threatened felids, we used DNA‐confirmed scats and prey surveys to determine the diet and prey selection of clouded leopards and tigers in a hilly evergreen forest in northern Laos. For clouded leopards, the primary prey was wild pig (Sus scrofa; 33% biomass consumed), followed by greater hog badger (Arctonyx collaris; 28%), small rodents (15%), and mainland serow (Capricornis sumatraensis; 13%; hereafter, serow). For tigers, the primary prey was wild pig (44%), followed by serow (18%), sambar (Rusa unicolor; 12%), and Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus; 10%). Compared to availability, serow was positively selected by both clouded leopards (D = 0.69) and tigers (0.61), whereas all other ungulate species were consumed in proportion to the availability or avoided. Our results indicate that clouded leopards are generalist predators with a wide prey spectrum. Nonetheless, mid‐sized ungulates (50–150 kg) comprised nearly half of their diet, and were the preferred prey, supporting a previous hypothesis that the enlarged gape and elongated canines of clouded leopards are adaptations for killing large prey. Because serow was the only ungulate preferred by both felids, we recommend that serow populations be monitored and managed to help conservation efforts for clouded leopards and tigers, at least in hilly evergreen forests of Southeast Asia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akchousanh Rasphone
- Wildlife Conservation Society‐Lao PDR Program Vientiane Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology Oxford University Abingdon UK
| | - Anita Bousa
- Wildlife Conservation Society‐Lao PDR Program Vientiane Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Anita Bousa, World Wide Fund for Nature—Laos Vientiane Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Chantavy Vongkhamheng
- Wildlife Conservation Society‐Lao PDR Program Vientiane Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Chantavy Vongkhamheng, The Wildlife Conservation Association (Lao WCA) Vientiane Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Jan F. Kamler
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology Oxford University Abingdon UK
| | - Arlyne Johnson
- Wildlife Conservation Society‐Lao PDR Program Vientiane Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Arlyne Johnson, Foundations of Success Bethesda Maryland USA
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology Oxford University Abingdon UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Salom-Pérez R, Wultsch C, Adams JR, Soto-Fournier S, Gutiérrez-Espeleta GA, Waits LP. Genetic diversity and population structure for ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) in Costa Rica. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab146] [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] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are a wide-ranging felid species, occurring from southern United States to northern Argentina. They occupy various habitats and are usually considered the most abundant wild cat species in the Neotropics. However, genetic studies that include free-ranging Mesoamerican ocelots are rare and generally based on small sample sizes. This is the first conservation genetics study on ocelots in Costa Rica and the second one in Mesoamerica that has conducted a genetic assessment of the species at a countrywide scale. We evaluated genetic diversity and population structure of ocelots using 15 microsatellite loci in 28 successfully genotyped individuals from throughout the country. We also compared genetic diversity of Costa Rican ocelots with that of jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) in the country, and with ocelots in Belize. Genetic diversity of ocelots in Costa Rica was relatively high as measured by rarified allelic richness (AR = 5.50 ± 1.36) and expected heterozygosities (HE = 0.79 ± 0.08). We did not detect patterns of genetic substructure, suggesting high levels of gene flow throughout the country and no strong barriers to movement. As expected, genetic diversity of Costa Rican ocelots was higher than co-occurring jaguars and pumas. Additionally, levels of genetic diversity were slightly higher in Costa Rican ocelots when compared with their counterparts in Belize, confirming the south to north decrease in genetic diversity reported in other studies. Our study provides critical baseline information to understand the status of wild ocelot populations in Costa Rica. Future studies on ocelots and other threatened or keystone species should also integrate genetic monitoring and conservation genetics analysis to properly inform management decisions, guarantee their long-term survival, and improve the resilience of ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Salom-Pérez
- Panthera, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
- CATIE-Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, CATIE 7170, 31501, Turrialba, Costa Rica
| | - Claudia Wultsch
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Laboratory, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer R Adams
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| | - Sofía Soto-Fournier
- School of Biology, Universidad de Costa Rica, Sede Rodrigo Facio 2060, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Lisette P Waits
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kamler JF, Minge C, Rostro-García S, Gharajehdaghipour T, Crouthers R, In V, Pay C, Pin C, Sovanna P, Macdonald DW. Home range, habitat selection, density, and diet of golden jackals in the Eastern Plains Landscape, Cambodia. J Mammal 2021; 102:636-650. [PMID: 34621142 PMCID: PMC8491366 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We used radiocollars and GPS collars to determine the movements and habitat selection of golden jackals (Canis aureus) in a seasonally dry deciduous forest with no human settlements in eastern Cambodia. We also collected and analyzed 147 scats from jackals to determine their seasonal diet and prey selection. The mean (± SE) annual size of home-range ranges (47.1 ± 2.5 km2; n = 4), which were mutually exclusive between mated pairs, was considerably larger than that previously reported for this species, resulting in an extremely low density (0.01 jackal/km2). The unusually large home ranges and low density probably were due to the harsh dry season when most understory vegetation is burned and nearly all waterholes dry up, thereby causing a large seasonal decline in the availability of small vertebrate prey. Resident groups consisted of an alpha pair, but no betas, and were situated only in areas not occupied by leopards (Panthera pardus) and dholes (Cuon alpinus). Jackals avoided dense forests and streams, and had a strong selection for dirt roads, possibly to avoid larger predators. Overall the jackal diet was diverse, with at least 16 prey items identified, and there was no significant difference in diet composition between the cool-dry and hot-dry seasons. Scat analysis showed that the main food items consumed by jackals were processional termites (Hospitalitermes spp.; 26% biomass consumed), followed by wild pig (Sus scrofa; 20%), muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis; 20%), and civets (17%). Compared to available biomass, jackals were not random in their consumption of ungulates because muntjac were selectively consumed over larger ungulate species. Dietary overlap with dholes and leopards was relatively low, and consumption patterns indicated jackals were preying on ungulates rather than scavenging from kills of larger carnivores. Our results showed that the jackal is an extremely adaptable and opportunistic species that exhibits unique behaviors to survive in an extreme environment near the edge of its distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan F Kamler
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, United Kingdom
| | - Christin Minge
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena, 07443 Jena, Germany
| | - Susana Rostro-García
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, United Kingdom
| | - Tazarve Gharajehdaghipour
- Department of Natural Resources Management, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Rachel Crouthers
- World Wild Fund for Nature Cambodia, Street 322, Phnom Penh 12302, Cambodia
| | - Visattha In
- Ministry of Environment, 48 Samdach Preah Sihanouk Blvd., Phnom Penh 12301, Cambodia
| | - Chen Pay
- World Wild Fund for Nature Cambodia, Street 322, Phnom Penh 12302, Cambodia
| | - Chanratana Pin
- Ministry of Environment, 48 Samdach Preah Sihanouk Blvd., Phnom Penh 12301, Cambodia
| | - Prum Sovanna
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, United Kingdom
| | - David W Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Molecular data reveal a structured puma (Puma concolor) population in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-021-00160-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
6
|
Rostro‐García S, Kamler JF, Minge C, Caragiulo A, Crouthers R, Groenenberg M, Gray TNE, In V, Pin C, Sovanna P, Kéry M, Macdonald DW. Small cats in big trouble? Diet, activity, and habitat use of jungle cats and leopard cats in threatened dry deciduous forests, Cambodia. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:4205-4217. [PMID: 33976804 PMCID: PMC8093725 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dry deciduous dipterocarp forests (DDF) cover about 15%-20% of Southeast Asia and are the most threatened forest type in the region. The jungle cat (Felis chaus) is a DDF specialist that occurs only in small isolated populations in Southeast Asia. Despite being one of the rarest felids in the region, almost nothing is known about its ecology. We investigated the ecology of jungle cats and their resource partitioning with the more common leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in a DDF-dominated landscape in Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia. We used camera-trap data collected from 2009 to 2019 and DNA-confirmed scats to determine the temporal, dietary and spatial overlap between jungle cats and leopard cats. The diet of jungle cats was relatively diverse and consisted of murids (56% biomass consumed), sciurids (15%), hares (Lepus peguensis; 12%), birds (8%), and reptiles (8%), whereas leopard cats had a narrower niche breadth and a diet dominated by smaller prey, primarily murids (73%). Nonetheless, dietary overlap was high because both felid species consumed predominantly small rodents. Both species were primarily nocturnal and had high temporal overlap. Two-species occupancy modelling suggested jungle cats were restricted to DDF and had low occupancy, whereas leopard cats had higher occupancy and were habitat generalists. Our study confirmed that jungle cats are DDF specialists that likely persist in low numbers due to the harsh conditions of the dry season in this habitat, including annual fires and substantial decreases in small vertebrate prey. The lower occupancy and more diverse diet of jungle cats, together with the broader habitat use of leopard cats, likely facilitated the coexistence of these species. The low occupancy of jungle cats in DDF suggests that protection of large areas of DDF will be required for the long-term conservation of this rare felid in Southeast Asia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Rostro‐García
- Department of ZoologyWildlife Conservation Research UnitUniversity of OxfordThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreAbingdonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jan F. Kamler
- Department of ZoologyWildlife Conservation Research UnitUniversity of OxfordThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreAbingdonUnited Kingdom
| | - Christin Minge
- Institute of Ecology and EvolutionFriedrich‐Schiller University of JenaGermany
| | - Anthony Caragiulo
- Sackler Institute for Comparative GenomicsAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryNew YorkNYUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Prum Sovanna
- Tigers Alive InitiativeWWF‐MalaysiaKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Marc Kéry
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Department of ZoologyWildlife Conservation Research UnitUniversity of OxfordThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreAbingdonUnited Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Fahmy M, Williams KM, Tessler M, Weiskopf SR, Hekkala E, Siddall ME. Multilocus Metabarcoding of Terrestrial Leech Bloodmeal iDNA Increases Species Richness Uncovered in Surveys of Vertebrate Host Biodiversity. J Parasitol 2020; 106:843-853. [DOI: 10.1645/19-189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mai Fahmy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, New York 10458
| | - Kalani M. Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, New York 10458
| | - Michael Tessler
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024
| | - Sarah R. Weiskopf
- United States Geological Survey, National Climate Adaptation Science Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 516, Reston, Virginia 20192
| | - Evon Hekkala
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, New York 10458
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Poghosyan L, Koch H, Frank J, van Kessel MAHJ, Cremers G, van Alen T, Jetten MSM, Op den Camp HJM, Lücker S. Metagenomic profiling of ammonia- and methane-oxidizing microorganisms in two sequential rapid sand filters. WATER RESEARCH 2020. [PMID: 32810745 DOI: 10.1016/j.geobios.2020.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Elevated concentrations of ammonium and methane in groundwater are often associated with microbiological, chemical and sanitary problems during drinking water production and distribution. To avoid their accumulation, raw water in the Netherlands and many other countries is purified by sand filtration. These drinking water filtration systems select for microbial communities that mediate the biodegradation of organic and inorganic compounds. In this study, the top layers and wall biofilm of a Dutch drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) were sampled from the filtration units of the plant over three years. We used high-throughput sequencing in combination with differential coverage and sequence composition-based binning to recover 56 near-complete metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) with an estimated completion of ≥70% and with ≤10% redundancy. These MAGs were used to characterize the microbial communities involved in the conversion of ammonia and methane. The methanotrophic microbial communities colonizing the wall biofilm (WB) and the granular material of the primary rapid sand filter (P-RSF) were dominated by members of the Methylococcaceae and Methylophilaceae. The abundance of these bacteria drastically decreased in the secondary rapid sand filter (S-RSF) samples. In all samples, complete ammonia-oxidizing (comammox) Nitrospira were the most abundant nitrifying guild. Clade A comammox Nitrospira dominated the P-RSF, while clade B was most abundant in WB and S-RSF, where ammonium concentrations were much lower. In conclusion, the knowledge obtained in this study contributes to understanding the role of microorganisms in the removal of carbon and nitrogen compounds during drinking water production. We furthermore found that drinking water treatment plants represent valuable model systems to study microbial community function and interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianna Poghosyan
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Hanna Koch
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Frank
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Maartje A H J van Kessel
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Geert Cremers
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Theo van Alen
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Lücker
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525AJ, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kamler JF, Inthapanya X, Rasphone A, Bousa A, Vongkhamheng C, Johnson A, Macdonald DW. Diet, prey selection, and activity of Asian golden cats and leopard cats in northern Laos. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) occurs in small, declining, and highly fragmented populations throughout Southeast Asia, whereas the smaller leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is common and widespread. In contrast to leopard cats, little is known about the ecology of Asian golden cats, and resource partitioning between these species has not been studied. We used DNA-confirmed scats, camera-trap data, and prey surveys, to determine the diet, prey selection, and activity, of Asian golden cats and leopard cats in a protected area in northern Laos. The two felids had different diets: Asian golden cats consumed mostly ungulates (35% biomass consumed), murid rodents (23%), and carnivores (15%), whereas leopard cats consumed mostly murid rodents (79%). Asian golden cats were not random in their consumption of ungulates, because muntjac (Muntiacus spp.) were selectively consumed over larger ungulates, indicating muntjac were preyed upon rather than scavenged. Dietary overlap between the two felid species was moderate (R0 = 0.60), and the dietary niche breadth of Asian golden cats (B = 8.44) was nearly twice as high as that of leopard cats (4.54). The mean (± SD) scat diameter was greater for Asian golden cats (2.1 ± 0.3 cm) than leopard cats (1.8 ± 0.2 cm), although diameters of leopard cat scats were considerably larger than previously assumed for this species. The felid species differed in their activity patterns, because Asian golden cats were diurnal, whereas leopard cats were nocturnal, although they did not differ in their use of elevation, suggesting there was no habitat segregation. Overall, leopard cats appeared to coexist with Asian golden cats, a potential predator and competitor, by exhibiting dietary and temporal partitioning. Our results showed that muntjac were important prey of Asian golden cats, suggesting the management of muntjac might be important for conserving populations of Asian golden cats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan F Kamler
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | - Xaysavanh Inthapanya
- Faculty of Science, National University of Laos, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Akchousanh Rasphone
- Wildlife Conservation Society-Lao PDR Program, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Anita Bousa
- Wildlife Conservation Society-Lao PDR Program, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Chanthavy Vongkhamheng
- Wildlife Conservation Society-Lao PDR Program, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Arlyne Johnson
- Wildlife Conservation Society-Lao PDR Program, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - David W Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Department of Zoology, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Williams KM, Barkdull M, Fahmy M, Hekkala E, Siddall ME, Kvist S. Caught red handed: iDNA points to wild source for CITES-protected contraband leeches. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-020-01419-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|
11
|
Fahmy M, Ravelomanantsoa NAF, Youssef S, Hekkala E, Siddall M. Biological inventory of Ranomafana National Park tetrapods using leech-derived iDNA. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
|
12
|
Molecular species identification of scat samples of South American felids and canids. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-018-1048-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
|
13
|
Tessler M, Weiskopf SR, Berniker L, Hersch R, Mccarthy KP, Yu DW, Siddall ME. Bloodlines: mammals, leeches, and conservation in southern Asia. SYST BIODIVERS 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2018.1433729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tessler
- Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Sarah R. Weiskopf
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, 531 South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Lily Berniker
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Rebecca Hersch
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Kyle P. Mccarthy
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, 531 South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Douglas W. Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, 32 Jiaochang Dong Lu, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Mark E. Siddall
- Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Palraju M, Paulchamy R, Sundaram J. Population genetic structure and molecular diversity of Leucinodes orbonalis based on mitochondrial COI gene sequences. Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2018; 29:1231-1239. [PMID: 29421947 DOI: 10.1080/24701394.2018.1436169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Leucinodes orbonalis is a destructive pest found throughout eggplant cultivating fields of Tamil Nadu, India. The genetic diversity and its population structure were investigated in this pest using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences from 20 populations of L. orbonalis collected from various agro-climatic conditions. The study indicated almost no genetic diversity among various populations. The COI nucleotide sequence based haplotype analysis also revealed no significant genetic variation among various populations. However, haplotype network analysis with three clades was nearly matching with the structure of phylogenetic analysis that showed geographical separations induced distribution of some genetic variation. The PCA and nMDS Shephard's plot analyses were also illustrated that the populations sampled were nearly matched with phylogenetic tree and haplotype network. This study on phylogeographical structure using the mitochondrial COI sequence diversity of L. orbonalis therefore suggested presence of few genetically distinct populations due to some specific habitat requirements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Murali Palraju
- a Department of Zoology, Unit of Entomology , University of Madras , Chennai , India
| | - Ramaraj Paulchamy
- a Department of Zoology, Unit of Entomology , University of Madras , Chennai , India
| | - Janarthanan Sundaram
- a Department of Zoology, Unit of Entomology , University of Madras , Chennai , India
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rostro-García S, Kamler JF, Crouthers R, Sopheak K, Prum S, In V, Pin C, Caragiulo A, Macdonald DW. An adaptable but threatened big cat: density, diet and prey selection of the Indochinese leopard ( Panthera pardus delacouri) in eastern Cambodia. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:171187. [PMID: 29515839 PMCID: PMC5830728 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We studied the Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) in eastern Cambodia, in one of the few potentially remaining viable populations in Southeast Asia. The aims were to determine the: (i) current leopard density in Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) and (ii) diet, prey selection and predation impact of leopard in SWS. The density, estimated using spatially explicit capture-recapture models, was 1.0 leopard/100 km2, 72% lower than an estimate from 2009 at the same site, and one of the lowest densities ever reported in Asia. Dietary analysis of 73 DNA confirmed scats showed leopard consumed 13 prey species, although ungulates comprised 87% of the biomass consumed (BC). The overall main prey (42% BC) was banteng (Bos javanicus), making this the only known leopard population whose main prey had adult weight greater than 500 kg. Consumption of wild pig (Sus scrofa) was also one of the highest ever reported (22% BC), indicating leopard consistently predated on ungulates with some of the largest adult weights in SWS. There were important differences in diet and prey selection between sexes, as males consumed mostly banteng (62% BC) in proportion to availability, but few muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis; 7% BC), whereas females selectively consumed muntjac (56% BC) and avoided banteng (less than 1% BC). Predation impact was low (0.5-3.2% of populations) for the three ungulate species consumed. We conclude that the Indochinese leopard is an important apex predator in SWS, but this unique population is declining at an alarming rate and will soon be eradicated unless effective protection is provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susana Rostro-García
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK
| | - Jan F. Kamler
- Panthera, 8 West 40th Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA
| | - Rachel Crouthers
- World Wide Fund for Nature Cambodia, Street 352, Boeun Keng Kang I, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Keo Sopheak
- Provincial Department of Environment, Mondulkiri, Sen Monorom, Cambodia
| | - Sovanna Prum
- World Wide Fund for Nature Cambodia, Street 352, Boeun Keng Kang I, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Provincial Department of Environment, Mondulkiri, Sen Monorom, Cambodia
| | - Visattha In
- World Wide Fund for Nature Cambodia, Street 352, Boeun Keng Kang I, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Chanratana Pin
- World Wide Fund for Nature Cambodia, Street 352, Boeun Keng Kang I, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Anthony Caragiulo
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street at Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX13 5QL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gelin ML, Branch LC, Thornton DH, Novaro AJ, Gould MJ, Caragiulo A. Response of pumas (Puma concolor) to migration of their primary prey in Patagonia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188877. [PMID: 29211753 PMCID: PMC5718558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale ungulate migrations result in changes in prey availability for top predators and, as a consequence, can alter predator behavior. Migration may include entire populations of prey species, but often prey populations exhibit partial migration with some individuals remaining resident and others migrating. Interactions of migratory prey and predators have been documented in North America and some other parts of the world, but are poorly studied in South America. We examined the response of pumas (Puma concolor) to seasonal migration of guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in La Payunia Reserve in northern Patagonia Argentina, which is the site of the longest known ungulate migration in South America. More than 15,000 guanacos migrate seasonally in this landscape, and some guanacos also are resident year-round. We hypothesized that pumas would respond to the guanaco migration by consuming more alternative prey rather than migrating with guanacos because of the territoriality of pumas and availability of alternative prey throughout the year at this site. To determine whether pumas moved seasonally with the guanacos, we conducted camera trapping in the summer and winter range of guanacos across both seasons and estimated density of pumas with spatial mark-resight (SMR) models. Also, we analyzed puma scats to assess changes in prey consumption in response to guanaco migration. Density estimates of pumas did not change significantly in the winter and summer range of guanacos when guanacos migrated to and from these areas, indicating that pumas do not follow the migration of guanacos. Pumas also did not consume more alternative native prey or livestock when guanaco availability was lower, but rather fed primarily on guanacos and some alternative prey during all seasons. Alternative prey were most common in the diet during summer when guanacos also were abundant on the summer range. The response of pumas to the migration of guanacos differs from sites in the western North America where entire prey populations migrate and pumas migrate with their prey or switch to more abundant prey when their primary prey migrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria L. Gelin
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lyn C. Branch
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniel H. Thornton
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Andrés J. Novaro
- Programa Estepa Patagónica y Andina, INIBIOMA-Universidad Nacional del Comahue-CONICET, Wildlife Conservation Society, Junín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina
| | - Matthew J. Gould
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Anthony Caragiulo
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
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]
|
18
|
Wultsch C, Caragiulo A, Dias-Freedman I, Quigley H, Rabinowitz S, Amato G. Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Mesoamerican Jaguars (Panthera onca): Implications for Conservation and Management. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162377. [PMID: 27783617 PMCID: PMC5082669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesoamerican jaguars (Panthera onca) have been extirpated from over 77% of their historic range, inhabiting fragmented landscapes at potentially reduced population sizes. Maintaining and restoring genetic diversity and connectivity across human-altered landscapes has become a major conservation priority; nonetheless large-scale genetic monitoring of natural populations is rare. This is the first regional conservation genetic study of jaguars to primarily use fecal samples collected in the wild across five Mesoamerican countries: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. We genotyped 445 jaguar fecal samples and examined patterns of genetic diversity and connectivity among 115 individual jaguars using data from 12 microsatellite loci. Overall, moderate levels of genetic variation were detected (NA = 4.50 ± 1.05, AR = 3.43 ± 0.22, HE = 0.59 ± 0.04), with Mexico having the lowest genetic diversity, followed by Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Costa Rica. Population-based gene flow measures (FST = 0.09 to 0.15, Dest = 0.09 to 0.21), principal component analysis, and Bayesian clustering applied in a hierarchical framework revealed significant genetic structure in Mesoamerican jaguars, roughly grouping individuals into four genetic clusters with varying levels of admixture. Gene flow was highest among Selva Maya jaguars (northern Guatemala and central Belize), whereas genetic differentiation among all other sampling sites was moderate. Genetic subdivision was most pronounced between Selva Maya and Honduran jaguars, suggesting limited jaguar movement between these close geographic regions and ultimately refuting the hypothesis of contemporary panmixia. To maintain a critical linkage for jaguars dispersing through the Mesoamerican landscape and ensure long-term viability of this near threatened species, we recommend continued management and maintenance of jaguar corridors. The baseline genetic data provided by this study underscores the importance of understanding levels of genetic diversity and connectivity to making informed management and conservation decisions with the goal to maintain functional connectivity across the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wultsch
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, United States of America
- Panthera, New York, NY 10018, United States of America
| | - Anthony Caragiulo
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, United States of America
| | - Isabela Dias-Freedman
- Public Health Research Institute, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | | | - Salisa Rabinowitz
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, United States of America
| | - George Amato
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Montanari S, Amato G. Discrimination factors of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes from diet to hair and scat in captive tigers (Panthera tigris) and snow leopards (Uncia uncia). RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2015; 29:1062-1068. [PMID: 26044274 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE In order to use stable isotope ratio values obtained from wild animal tissues, we must accurately calculate the differences in isotope ratios between diet and consumer (δtissue - δdiet). These values, called trophic discrimination factors (TDFs, denoted with ∆), are necessary for stable isotope ecology studies and are best calculated in controlled environments. METHODS Scat, hair, and diet samples were collected from captive tigers (n = 8) and snow leopards (n = 10) at the Bronx Zoo. The isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen, the two most commonly used in ecological studies, of the samples were measured by continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The trophic discrimination factors were calculated for both carbon (δ(13)C values) and nitrogen (δ(15)N values). RESULTS It was found that the only significant TDFs in this study were diet-hair, ∆(13)CHair, for snow leopards (5.97 ± 1.25‰) and tigers (6.45 ± 0.54‰), and diet-scat, ∆(15)NScat, in snow leopards (2.49 ± 1.30‰). The other mean isotope ratios were not significantly different from that of the premixed feline diet. The ∆(15)NHair values for both species were unusually low, potentially due to the protein content and quality of the feline diet. CONCLUSIONS The discrimination factors of the stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen calculated in this study can be applied to ecological studies of wild, non-captive terrestrial mammals. The effect of protein quality in isotope discrimination is also worthy of further investigation to better understand variation in TDFs. Carnivore scat is shown to be a valuable material for isotopic analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shaena Montanari
- Columbia University, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, 1200 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA
| | - George Amato
- Columbia University, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, 1200 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Tiger (Panthera tigris) scent DNA: a valuable conservation tool for individual identification and population monitoring. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-015-0476-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
21
|
Presence of the Endangered Amur tiger Panthera tigris altaica in Jilin Province, China, detected using non-invasive genetic techniques. ORYX 2015. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605314000817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractChina is home to three subspecies of tiger Panthera tigris but there are no estimates of the size of any of the populations. We detected a population of the Endangered Amur tiger Panthera tigris altaica in Hunchun Nature Reserve in Jilin Province using both mitochondrial DNA and nuclear microsatellite loci. Four male and one female tigers were detected, indicating the potential for a small breeding group. However, genetic diversity was low overall, with six loci showing a heterozygote deficiency and a mean of 2.55 alleles per locus. This study is the first estimate of the wild Amur tiger population in China to use non-invasive techniques, and the presence of a female tiger indicates this is a potentially viable population. We provide baseline genetic diversity estimates to support monitoring of the population. The small number of tiger scats located indicates the importance of continuing the current conservation efforts for this tiger subspecies in Hunchun Nature Reserve. Such efforts include reducing poaching of tigers and their prey, and implementation of management plans to encourage the persistence and recovery of tigers in this area.
Collapse
|
22
|
Cosse M, Del Moral Sachetti JF, Mannise N, Acosta M. Genetic evidence confirms presence of Andean bears in Argentina. URSUS 2014. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-14-00020.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Cosse
- Genética de la Conservación-Departamento de Biodiversidad y Genética, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318 C. P. 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Natalia Mannise
- Genética de la Conservación-Departamento de Biodiversidad y Genética, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Av. Italia 3318 C. P. 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Miguel Acosta
- Proyecto Juco, Eduardo Wilde N° 450, V Soledad, Dpto. A, C. P. 4400, Salta, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Caragiulo A, Dougherty E, Soto S, Rabinowitz S, Amato G. The complete mitochondrial genome structure of the jaguar (Panthera onca). Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2014; 27:914-5. [PMID: 25010076 DOI: 10.3109/19401736.2014.926483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest felid in the Western hemisphere, and the only member of the Panthera genus in the New World. The jaguar inhabits most countries within Central and South America, and is considered near threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. This study represents the first sequence of the entire jaguar mitogenome, which was the only Panthera mitogenome that had not been sequenced. The jaguar mitogenome is 17,049 bases and possesses the same molecular structure as other felid mitogenomes. Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) were used to determine the phylogenetic placement of the jaguar within the Panthera genus. Both BI and ML analyses revealed the jaguar to be sister to the tiger/leopard/snow leopard clade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Caragiulo
- a Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History , New York , NY , USA
| | - Eric Dougherty
- a Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History , New York , NY , USA .,b Department of Environmental Science , Policy, & Management, University of California-Berkeley , Berkeley , CA , USA , and
| | - Sofia Soto
- c Escuela de Biologia, University of Costa Rica , San Jose , Costa Rica
| | - Salisa Rabinowitz
- a Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History , New York , NY , USA
| | - George Amato
- a Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History , New York , NY , USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Chang JC, Ponnath DW, Ramasamy S. Phylogeographical structure in mitochondrial DNA of eggplant fruit and shoot borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in South and Southeast Asia. Mitochondrial DNA A DNA Mapp Seq Anal 2014; 27:198-204. [PMID: 24491107 DOI: 10.3109/19401736.2014.880890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Leucinodes orbonalis is the most detrimental South and Southeast Asian insect pest of eggplant. To help reduce the impact of this pest, population genetic diversity and structure of L. orbonalis were examined in eight populations from six countries using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I DNA sequences. No correlation between genetic diversity and geographic distance was detected among populations. Low levels of haplotype and nucleotide diversities were observed in the Philippines population, suggesting recent colonization. No significant gene flow was found among local populations in different countries. The Vietnam population is highly differentiated, indicated by significant pairwise FST values, and may be ascribed to a new subspecies or race. India was confirmed to be the source of genetic variation in L. orbonalis populations. Our study showed that L. orbonalis formed subpopulations for each local region, and the corresponding pest management technology should be developed at the country scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Cheng Chang
- a Unit of Entomology , AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center , Shanhua , Taiwan and
| | - Daniel W Ponnath
- b Faculty Geisenheim , RheinMain University of Applied Sciences Wiesbaden, Rüsselsheim , Geisenheim , Germany
| | - Srinivasan Ramasamy
- a Unit of Entomology , AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center , Shanhua , Taiwan and
| |
Collapse
|