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Le Clercq LS, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Dalton DL. Methylation-based markers for the estimation of age in African cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13940. [PMID: 38390700 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Age is a key demographic in conservation where age classes show differences in important population metrics such as morbidity and mortality. Several traits, including reproductive potential, also show senescence with ageing. Thus, the ability to estimate age of individuals in a population is critical in understanding the current structure as well as their future fitness. Many methods exist to determine age in wildlife, with most using morphological features that show inherent variability with age. These methods require significant expertise and become less accurate in adult age classes, often the most critical groups to model. Molecular methods have been applied to measuring key population attributes, and more recently epigenetic attributes such as methylation have been explored as biomarkers for age. There are, however, several factors such as permits, sample sovereignty, and costs that may preclude the use of extant methods in a conservation context. This study explored the utility of measuring age-related changes in methylation in candidate genes using mass array technology. Novel methods are described for using gene orthologues to identify and assay regions for differential methylation. To illustrate the potential application, African cheetah was used as a case study. Correlation analyses identified six methylation sites with an age relationship, used to develop a model with sufficient predictive power for most conservation contexts. This model was more accurate than previous attempts using PCR and performed similarly to candidate gene studies in other mammal species. Mass array presents an accurate and cost-effective method for age estimation in wildlife of conservation concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis-Stéphane Le Clercq
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - J Paul Grobler
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, UK
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Linden B, Dalton DL, Van Wyk A, de Jager D, Moodley Y, Taylor PJ. Potential drivers of samango monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis) population subdivision in a highly fragmented mountain landscape in northern South Africa. Primates 2022; 63:245-260. [PMID: 35226214 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-022-00981-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Forests affected by fragmentation are at risk of losing their primate populations over the long term. The impact of fragmentation on primate populations has been studied in several places in Africa, Asia and South America; however, there has been no discernible pattern of how primates react to forest disturbance and fragmentation. In fragmented habitats, the local extinction probability of a species increases due to a decrease in patch area and an increase in genetic isolation. Here we used microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences to investigate how habitat fragmentation impacts on the genetic diversity and structure of a samango monkey population inhabiting forest patches in the Soutpansberg mountain range of northern South Africa. We sampled four local populations across the length of the mountain range and an additional outlying population from the Great Escarpment to the south. Our results indicate that local populations along the mountain range were historically more connected and less distinct than at present. In more recent times, a lack of contemporary gene flow is leading to a more pronounced genetic structure, causing population subdivision across the mountain and likely isolating the Soutpansberg population from the escarpment population to the south. Based on our results, we suggest that natural and anthropogenic fragmentation are driving population genetic differentiation, and that the matrix surrounding forests and their suitability for samango monkey utilisation play a role at the local scale. The degree of genetic isolation found for samango monkey populations in our study raises concerns about the long-term viability of populations across the mountain range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Linden
- SARChI Chair on Biodiversity Value and Change, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa. .,Lajuma Research Centre, P.O. Box 522, Louis Trichardt, 0920, South Africa.
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.,School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough,, TS1 3BA, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Van Wyk
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.,Molecular Ecology and Evolution Programme, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Deon de Jager
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Programme, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Yoshan Moodley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
| | - Peter J Taylor
- SARChI Chair on Biodiversity Value and Change, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa.,School of Life Sciences, Biological Sciences Building, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Ring Road, Westville Campus, Durban, 3630, South Africa.,Zoology and Entomology Department, University of the Free State, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Williams VL, Coals PG, de Bruyn M, Naude VN, Dalton DL, Kotzé A. Monitoring compliance of CITES lion bone exports from South Africa. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249306. [PMID: 33798210 PMCID: PMC8018656 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
From 2008 to 2018, South Africa permitted the export of captive-bred African lion (Panthera leo) skeletons to Southeast Asia under CITES Appendix II. Legal exports rose from approximately 50 individuals in 2008 to a maximum of 1,771 skeletons in 2016, and has led to ongoing concerns over possible laundering of non-lion, multiple-source and wild-sourced bones. South Africa is required under its obligations to CITES to employ mechanisms for monitoring and reporting trade, and to limit the potential for illegal trade and laundering of lion and other large felid bones. Monitoring tools for legal trade are critical to compliance with CITES. Here we evaluate the CITES-compliance procedure implemented by South Africa for export of lion bones and identify six essential general points for consideration in the implementation of animal export quota compliance protocols. We provide specific insight into the South African lion bone export monitoring system through: i) outlining the protocols followed; ii) assessing the utility of cranial morphology to identify species; iii) evaluating skeleton consignment weight as a monitoring tool; and iv) presenting molecular (DNA) species assignment and pairwise-comparative sample matching of individuals. We describe irregularities and illicit behaviour detected in the 2017 and 2018 lion bone quotas. Notably, we report that the compliance procedure successfully identified and prevented the attempted laundering of a tiger (P. tigris) skeleton in 2018. We emphasise the utility of mixed-method protocols for the monitoring of compliance in CITES Appendix II export quota systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivienne L. Williams
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter G. Coals
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marli de Bruyn
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Vincent N. Naude
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Desiré L. Dalton
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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Linden B, Dalton DL, Ralph TMC, Silva I, Kotze A, Taylor PJ. Adding another piece to the southern African Cercopithecus monkey phylogeography puzzle. African Zoology 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2020.1835534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Birthe Linden
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
- SARChI Chair on Biodiversity Value and Change, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
- Lajuma Research Centre, Louis Trichardt, South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Taryn MC Ralph
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Isabel Silva
- Center for Research and Environmental Conservation, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Lurio University, Pemba, Mozambique
| | - Antoinette Kotze
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Genetics Department, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Peter J Taylor
- SARChI Chair on Biodiversity Value and Change, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Du Toit Z, Dalton DL, Du Plessis M, Jansen R, Paul Grobler J. Isolation and characterization of 30 STRs in Temminck's ground pangolin ( Smutsia temminckii) and potential for cross amplification in other African species. J Genet 2020; 99:20. [PMID: 32366731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Temminck's ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii) is one of four species of pangolin, endemic to Africa. Two of the African pangolin species are listed as vulnerable and two are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species due to their ongoing exploitation for traditional medicine and bushmeat. In this study, we developed 30 species-specific short-tandem repeats (STRs) in Temminck's ground pangolin using next-generation sequencing. The markers were also optimized for crossamplification in other African species. All the markers amplified successfully in Temminck's ground pangolin with allelic polymorphisms observed in 87% of the markers in giant pangolin (S. gigantea) whereas 60% of the markers were amplified polymorphic loci in both whitebellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) and black-bellied pangolin (P. tetradactyla). Analysis of diversity estimates showed moderate levels of variability in Temminck's ground pangolin (Na = 5; Ho = 0.559), giant pangolin (Na = 4.909; Ho = 0.514) and white-bellied pangolin (Na= 2.686; Ho = 0.541) with lower values being observed in black-bellied pangolin (Na = 3; Ho = 0.242). This study provides data of the first available STR markers which was amplified in all four African pangolin species that can now be used in conservation genetic and evolutionary aspects of population histories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelda Du Toit
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
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Smith RM, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Dalton DL. Molecular characterization in the toll-like receptor 9 gene of Cape Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra zebra) from three populations. Infect Genet Evol 2019; 78:104118. [PMID: 31734289 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a family of proteins that signal activation of the innate immune response through the recognition of a variety of pathogen molecular compounds. Here, we characterized the complete TLR9 gene in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) from three populations in South Africa and compared sequences to a variety of horse and donkey breeds. Overall, we identified six single nucleotide polymorpHisms (SNPs). A single SNP (G586S) was non-synonymous, whereas the remaining SNPs were synonymous. The G586S alteration was detected in Cape mountain zebra populations with varying frequency. In addition, adaptive diversity was found to be discordant with variation based on neutral markers. The mutation is unique to the Cape mountain zebra when compared to other equid species. The structure of TLR9 is relatively conserved and the resulting amino acid substitution was found to have minimal interaction with active sites in the protein. Future studies can explore the effects of this potentially functional mutation which will contribute to our understanding of genetic diversity within adaptive sites of the Cape mountain zebra genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rae M Smith
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - J Paul Grobler
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- South African National Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; Department of Zoology, University of Venda, University Road, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.
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Kotzé A, Smith RM, Moodley Y, Luikart G, Birss C, Van Wyk AM, Grobler JP, Dalton DL. Lessons for conservation management: Monitoring temporal changes in genetic diversity of Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220331. [PMID: 31365543 PMCID: PMC6668792 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) is a subspecies of mountain zebra endemic to South Africa. The Cape mountain zebra experienced near extinction in the early 1900's and their numbers have since recovered to more than 4,800 individuals. However, there are still threats to their long-term persistence. A previous study reported that Cape mountain zebra had low genetic diversity in three relict populations and that urgent conservation management actions were needed to mitigate the risk of further loss. As these suggestions went largely unheeded, we undertook the present study, fifteen years later to determine the impact of management on genetic diversity in three key populations. Our results show a substantial loss of heterozygosity across the Cape mountain zebra populations studied. The most severe losses occurred at De Hoop Nature Reserve where expected heterozygosity reduced by 22.85% from 0.385 to 0.297. This is alarming, as the De Hoop Nature Reserve was previously identified as the most genetically diverse population owing to its founders originating from two of the three remaining relict stocks. Furthermore, we observed a complete loss of multiple private alleles from all populations, and a related reduction in genetic structure across the subspecies. These losses could lead to inbreeding depression and reduce the evolutionary potential of the Cape mountain zebra. We recommend immediate implementation of evidence-based genetic management and monitoring to prevent further losses, which could jeopardise the long term survival of Cape mountain zebra, especially in the face of habitat and climate change and emerging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette Kotzé
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Rae M. Smith
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Yoshan Moodley
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Republic of South Africa
| | - Gordon Luikart
- Flathead Lake Biological Station, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
- Wildlife Program, Fish and Wildlife Genomics Group, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | | | - Anna M. Van Wyk
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - J. Paul Grobler
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Desiré L. Dalton
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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Ponsonby DW, Madisha MT, Schwaibold S, Dalton DL. Genetic diversity of African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) occurring in urbanised areas of Gauteng, South Africa. S AFR J SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2019/4889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is the basis of the evolutionary potential of species to respond to environmental changes. However, restricting the movement of species can result in populations becoming less connected which can reduce gene flow and can subsequently result in a loss of genetic diversity. Urban expansion can lead to the fragmentation of habitats which affects the ability of species to move freely between areas. In this study, the genetic diversity of the African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) in Gauteng (South Africa) was assessed using non-invasive sampling techniques. DNA was extracted from spraint (faecal) samples collected along nine rivers and genotyped using 10 microsatellites to assess population structure and genetic diversity. Samples were grouped based on locality and by catchment to determine whether isolated subpopulations exist. Genetic diversity of A. capensis in Gauteng was found to be low (mean observed heterozygosity (Ho)=0.309). Analysis of genetic structure provides support for the otter populations being panmictic with high gene flow between populations from different rivers. Results from the study indicate that the movement of A. capensis is not affected by physical barriers in urbanised areas. However, because the genetic diversity of the species in the study area is low, these animals may not be able to cope with future environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damian W. Ponsonby
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Schwaibold Schwaibold
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Desiré L. Dalton
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
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Madisha MT, du Plessis M, Kotzé A, Dalton DL. Complete mitochondrial genomes of the African clawless ( Aonyx capensis) and spotted necked ( Hydrictis maculicollis) otter: structure, annotation, and interspecies variation. Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2019.1602003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Thabang Madisha
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Morné du Plessis
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Desiré L. Dalton
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
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Moodley Y, Russo IRM, Robovský J, Dalton DL, Kotzé A, Smith S, Stejskal J, Ryder OA, Hermes R, Walzer C, Bruford MW. Contrasting evolutionary history, anthropogenic declines and genetic contact in the northern and southern white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum). Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.1567. [PMID: 30404873 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) has a discontinuous African distribution, which is limited by the extent of sub-Saharan grasslands. The southern population (SWR) declined to its lowest number around the turn of the nineteenth century, but recovered to become the world's most numerous rhinoceros. In contrast, the northern population (NWR) was common during much of the twentieth century, declining rapidly since the 1970s, and now only two post-reproductive individuals remain. Despite this species's conservation status, it lacks a genetic assessment of its demographic history. We therefore sampled 232 individuals from extant and museum sources and analysed ten microsatellite loci and the mtDNA control region. Both marker types reliably partitioned the species into SWR and NWR, with moderate nuclear genetic diversity and only three mtDNA haplotypes for the species, including historical samples. We detected ancient interglacial demographic declines in both populations. Both populations may also have been affected by recent declines associated with the colonial expansion for the SWR, and with the much earlier Bantu migrations for the NWR. Finally, we detected post-divergence secondary contact between NWR and SWR, possibly occurring as recently as the last glacial maximum. These results suggest the species was subjected to regular periods of fragmentation and low genetic diversity, which may have been replenished upon secondary contact during glacial periods. The species's current situation thus reflects prehistoric declines that were exacerbated by anthropogenic pressure associated with the rise of late Holocene technological advancement in Africa. Importantly, secondary contact suggests a potentially positive outcome for a hybrid rescue conservation strategy, although further genome-wide data are desirable to corroborate these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshan Moodley
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, University Road, Thohoyandou 0950, Republic of South Africa
| | - Isa-Rita M Russo
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Jan Robovský
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, University Road, Thohoyandou 0950, Republic of South Africa.,National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.,Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, West Park, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Steve Smith
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1A Savoyen Street, 1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Stejskal
- Zoo Dvůr Králové, Štefánikova 1029, Dvůr Králové nad Labem 54401, Czech Republic
| | - Oliver A Ryder
- Genetics Division, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, Escondido, CA, USA
| | - Robert Hermes
- Leibniz-Institut for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Chris Walzer
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1A Savoyen Street, 1160, Vienna, Austria.,Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd., 10460 Bronx, USA
| | - Michael W Bruford
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK .,Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK
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Vanwyk AM, Kotzé A, Paul Grobler J, Van Vuuren BJ, Barrow LN, Dalton DL. Isolation and characterization of species-specific microsatellite markers for blue and black wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus and C. gnou). J Genet 2018; 97:e101-e109. [PMID: 30574875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The bluewildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) is distributed throughout southern and east Africa while the black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) is endemic to South Africa and was driven to near extinction in the early 1900s due to hunting pressure and disease outbreaks. Extensive translocation of both species throughout South Africa is threatening the genetic integrity of blue and blackwilde beest. To effectively manage these species, genetic tools that can be used to detect hybrid individuals, identify genetically unique subpopulations and determine the levels of genetic diversity are required. In this study, 11 microsatellite markers were developed for wildebeest through next-generation sequencing. The microsatellite loci displayed 2.00-4.14 alleles, unbiased heterozygosity values ranged from 0.32 to 0.60 and observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.26 to 0.52. The comparatively high level of polymorphism observed in the microsatellite markers indicates that these markers can contribute significantly to our knowledge of population genetic structure, relatedness, genetic diversity and hybridization in these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Vanwyk
- National Zoological Gardens, South African Biodiversity Institute, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. ,
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Dalton DL, Kotzé A, McEwing R, De Bruyn M, Mnisi C, Mwale M. A tale of the traded cat: development of a rapid real-time PCR diagnostic test to distinguish between lion and tiger bone. CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-018-1060-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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14
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Loots AK, Cardoso-Vermaak E, Venter EH, Mitchell E, Kotzé A, Dalton DL. The role of toll-like receptor polymorphisms in susceptibility to canine distemper virus. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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15
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Schmidt-Küntzel A, Dalton DL, Menotti-Raymond M, Fabiano E, Charruau P, Johnson WE, Sommer S, Marker L, Kotzé A, O’Brien SJ. Conservation Genetics of the Cheetah: Genetic History and Implications for Conservation. Cheetahs: Biology and Conservation 2018. [PMCID: PMC7149701 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-804088-1.00006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
From allozymes in 1983 to whole genomes in 2015, genetic studies of the cheetah have been extensive. In this chapter we provide an overview of the available literature. Overall, patterns of genetic variation provided evidence of low variability and suggest this loss occurred thousands of years ago. Differences between published subspecies were supported genetically. At a local scale, populations were generally considered panmictic with minor genetic structure. Although cheetahs have persisted despite low genetic variability, important questions arise from these findings: Does the cheetah have the ability to adapt to and evolve with future changes in environmental and infectious pressure? How would cheetahs cope with further loss of genetic diversity? Connectivity in the wild should be maintained via prevention of habitat loss, while management of small isolated populations may require reestablishing gene flow. Genetics could assist captive-breeding decisions and provide forensic evidence as to the geographical origin of illegally traded animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Desiré L. Dalton
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa,University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Warren E. Johnson
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, United States
| | | | | | - Antoinette Kotzé
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa,University of Free State South Africa, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Stephen J. O’Brien
- St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia,Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
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16
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du Toit Z, du Plessis M, Dalton DL, Jansen R, Paul Grobler J, Kotzé A. Mitochondrial genomes of African pangolins and insights into evolutionary patterns and phylogeny of the family Manidae. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:746. [PMID: 28934931 PMCID: PMC5609056 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4140-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study used next generation sequencing to generate the mitogenomes of four African pangolin species; Temminck's ground pangolin (Smutsia temminckii), giant ground pangolin (S. gigantea), white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) and black-bellied pangolin (P. tetradactyla). RESULTS The results indicate that the mitogenomes of the African pangolins are 16,558 bp for S. temminckii, 16,540 bp for S. gigantea, 16,649 bp for P. tetradactyla and 16,565 bp for P. tricuspis. Phylogenetic comparisons of the African pangolins indicated two lineages with high posterior probabilities providing evidence to support the classification of two genera; Smutsia and Phataginus. The total GC content between African pangolins was observed to be similar between species (36.5% - 37.3%). The most frequent codon was found to be A or C at the 3rd codon position. Significant variations in GC-content and codon usage were observed for several regions between African and Asian pangolin species which may be attributed to mutation pressure and/or natural selection. Lastly, a total of two insertions of 80 bp and 28 bp in size respectively was observed in the control region of the black-bellied pangolin which were absent in the other African pangolin species. CONCLUSIONS The current study presents reference mitogenomes of all four African pangolin species and thus expands on the current set of reference genomes available for six of the eight extant pangolin species globally and represents the first phylogenetic analysis with six pangolin species using full mitochondrial genomes. Knowledge of full mitochondrial DNA genomes will assist in providing a better understanding on the evolution of pangolins which will be essential for conservation genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelda du Toit
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
- Centre for Conservation Science, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Morné du Plessis
- Centre for Conservation Science, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
- Centre for Conservation Science, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa.
| | - Raymond Jansen
- Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - J Paul Grobler
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
- Centre for Conservation Science, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
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Loots AK, Mitchell E, Dalton DL, Kotzé A, Venter EH. Advances in canine distemper virus pathogenesis research: a wildlife perspective. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:311-321. [PMID: 27902345 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) has emerged as a significant disease of wildlife, which is highly contagious and readily transmitted between susceptible hosts. Initially described as an infectious disease of domestic dogs, it is now recognized as a global multi-host pathogen, infecting and causing mass mortalities in a wide range of carnivore species. The last decade has seen the effect of numerous CDV outbreaks in various wildlife populations. Prevention of CDV requires a clear understanding of the potential hosts in danger of infection as well as the dynamic pathways CDV uses to gain entry to its host cells and its ability to initiate viral shedding and disease transmission. We review recent research conducted on CDV infections in wildlife, including the latest findings on the causes of host specificity and cellular receptors involved in distemper pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika K Loots
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.,National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Emily Mitchell
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.,Genetics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.,Genetics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Estelle H Venter
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
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Dalton DL, Zimmermann D, Mnisi C, Taplin M, Novellie P, Hrabar H, Kotzé A. Hiding in Plain Sight: Evidence of Hybridization between Cape Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra zebra) and Plains Zebra (Equus quagga burchelli). African Journal of Wildlife Research 2017. [DOI: 10.3957/056.047.0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Moodley Y, Russo IRM, Dalton DL, Kotzé A, Muya S, Haubensak P, Bálint B, Munimanda GK, Deimel C, Setzer A, Dicks K, Herzig-Straschil B, Kalthoff DC, Siegismund HR, Robovský J, O’Donoghue P, Bruford MW. Extinctions, genetic erosion and conservation options for the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Sci Rep 2017; 7:41417. [PMID: 28176810 PMCID: PMC5296875 DOI: 10.1038/srep41417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The black rhinoceros is again on the verge of extinction due to unsustainable poaching in its native range. Despite a wide historic distribution, the black rhinoceros was traditionally thought of as depauperate in genetic variation, and with very little known about its evolutionary history. This knowledge gap has hampered conservation efforts because hunting has dramatically reduced the species' once continuous distribution, leaving five surviving gene pools of unknown genetic affinity. Here we examined the range-wide genetic structure of historic and modern populations using the largest and most geographically representative sample of black rhinoceroses ever assembled. Using both mitochondrial and nuclear datasets, we described a staggering loss of 69% of the species' mitochondrial genetic variation, including the most ancestral lineages that are now absent from modern populations. Genetically unique populations in countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi and Angola no longer exist. We found that the historic range of the West African subspecies (D. b. longipes), declared extinct in 2011, extends into southern Kenya, where a handful of individuals survive in the Masai Mara. We also identify conservation units that will help maintain evolutionary potential. Our results suggest a complete re-evaluation of current conservation management paradigms for the black rhinoceros.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshan Moodley
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, Republic of South Africa
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria, Savoyenstr. 1A, 1160 Austria
| | - Isa-Rita M. Russo
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Desiré L. Dalton
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, West Park, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, West Park, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa
| | - Shadrack Muya
- Department of Zoology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
| | - Patricia Haubensak
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria, Savoyenstr. 1A, 1160 Austria
| | - Boglárka Bálint
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria, Savoyenstr. 1A, 1160 Austria
| | - Gopi K. Munimanda
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria, Savoyenstr. 1A, 1160 Austria
| | - Caroline Deimel
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria, Savoyenstr. 1A, 1160 Austria
| | - Andrea Setzer
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria, Savoyenstr. 1A, 1160 Austria
| | - Kara Dicks
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thomas Building, University of Chester, Chester, CH1 4BJ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Daniela C. Kalthoff
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Frescativägen 40, Stockholm, 10405, Sweden
| | - Hans R. Siegismund
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, Copenhagen N, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Jan Robovský
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1760, České Budějovice, 37005, Czech Republic
| | - Paul O’Donoghue
- Department of Biological Sciences, Thomas Building, University of Chester, Chester, CH1 4BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Michael W. Bruford
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
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20
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Labuschagne C, Dalton DL, Grobler JP, Kotzé A. SNP discovery and characterisation in White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum) with application to parentage assignment. Genet Mol Biol 2017; 40:84-92. [PMID: 28170027 PMCID: PMC5409770 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2016-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The white rhino is one of the great success stories of modern wildlife conservation,
growing from as few as 50-100 animals in the 1880s, to approximately 20,000 white
rhinoceros remaining today. However, illegal trade in conservational rhinoceros horns
is adding constant pressure on remaining populations. Captive management of
ex situ populations of endangered species using molecular methods
can contribute to improving the management of the species. Here we compare for the
first time the utility of 33 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and nine
microsatellites (MS) in isolation and in combination for assigning parentage in
captive White Rhinoceros. We found that a combined dataset of SNPs and
microsatellites was most informative with the highest confidence level. This study
thus provided us with a useful set of SNP and MS markers for parentage and
relatedness testing. Further assessment of the utility of these markers over multiple
(> three) generations and the incorporation of a larger variety of relationships
among individuals (e.g. half-siblings or cousins) is strongly suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan Labuschagne
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa.,Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa.,National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - J Paul Grobler
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa.,National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
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21
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van Wyk AM, Dalton DL, Hoban S, Bruford MW, Russo IRM, Birss C, Grobler P, van Vuuren BJ, Kotzé A. Quantitative evaluation of hybridization and the impact on biodiversity conservation. Ecol Evol 2016; 7:320-330. [PMID: 28070295 PMCID: PMC5214875 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic hybridization is an increasing conservation threat worldwide. In South Africa, recent hybridization is threatening numerous ungulate taxa. For example, the genetic integrity of the near‐threatened bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) is threatened by hybridization with the more common blesbok (D. p. phillipsi). Identifying nonadmixed parental and admixed individuals is challenging based on the morphological traits alone; however, molecular analyses may allow for accurate detection. Once hybrids are identified, population simulation software may assist in determining the optimal conservation management strategy, although quantitative evaluation of hybrid management is rarely performed. In this study, our objectives were to describe species‐wide and localized rates of hybridization in nearly 3,000 individuals based on 12 microsatellite loci, quantify the accuracy of hybrid assignment software (STRUCTURE and NEWHYBRIDS), and determine an optimal threshold of bontebok ancestry for management purposes. According to multiple methods, we identified 2,051 bontebok, 657 hybrids, and 29 blesbok. More than two‐thirds of locations contained at least some hybrid individuals, with populations varying in the degree of introgression. HYBRIDLAB was used to simulate four generations of coexistence between bontebok and blesbok, and to optimize a threshold of ancestry, where most hybrids will be detected and removed, and the fewest nonadmixed bontebok individuals misclassified as hybrids. Overall, a threshold Q‐value (admixture coefficient) of 0.90 would remove 94% of hybrid animals, while a threshold of 0.95 would remove 98% of hybrid animals but also 8% of nonadmixed bontebok. To this end, a threshold of 0.90 was identified as optimal and has since been implemented in formal policy by a provincial nature conservation agency. Due to widespread hybridization, effective conservation plans should be established and enforced to conserve native populations that are genetically unique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M van Wyk
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa Pretoria South Africa; Genetics Department University of the Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa Pretoria South Africa; Genetics Department University of the Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
| | - Sean Hoban
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology University of Ferrara Ferrara Italy; The Morton Arboretum Lisle IL USA; National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) University of Tennessee Knoxville TN USA
| | | | | | | | - Paul Grobler
- Genetics Department University of the Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
| | - Bettine Janse van Vuuren
- Molecular Zoology Laboratory Department of Zoology University of Johannesburg Auckland Park South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa Pretoria South Africa; Genetics Department University of the Free State Bloemfontein South Africa
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22
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Labuschagne C, Nupen L, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Dalton DL. Genetic monitoring of ex situ African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) populations in South Africa. African Zoology 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2016.1186499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan Labuschagne
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd, Pretoria, South Africa
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lisa Nupen
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - J Paul Grobler
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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Lane EP, Brettschneider H, Caldwell P, Oosthuizen A, Dalton DL, du Plessis L, Steyl J, Kotze A. Feline panleukopaenia virus in captive non-domestic felids in South Africa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 83:a1099. [PMID: 27380652 PMCID: PMC6238724 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v83i1.1099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
An outbreak of feline panleukopaenia virus (FPLV) infection was diagnosed by pathology, electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in vaccinated captive-bred subadult cheetahs in South Africa. Subsequent to this disease outbreak, 12 cases of FPLV diagnosed on histology were confirmed by PCR in captive African black-footed cat, caracal, cheetah, lion, ocelot and serval. Phylogenetic analyses of the viral capsid protein gene on PCR-positive samples, vaccine and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reference strains identified a previously unknown strain of FPLV, present since at least 2006, that differs from both the inactivated and the modified live vaccine strains. A previously described South African strain from domestic cats and cheetahs was identified in a serval. Surveys of FPLV strains in South African felids are needed to determine the geographical and host species distribution of this virus. Since non-domestic species may be reservoirs of parvoviruses, and since these viruses readily change host specificity, the risks of FPLV transmission between captive-bred and free-ranging carnivores and domestic cats and dogs warrant further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily P Lane
- Department of Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa.
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Phukuntsi MA, Brettschneider H, Dalton DL, Kearney T, Badenhorst J, Kotze A. DNA barcoding for identification of cryptic species in the field and existing museum collections: a case study ofAethomysandMicaelamys(Rodentia: Muridae). African Zoology 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2016.1146084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Labuschagne C, Nupen L, Kotzé A, Grobler PJ, Dalton DL. Assessment of microsatellite and SNP markers for parentage assignment in ex situ African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) populations. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:4389-99. [PMID: 26819703 PMCID: PMC4667824 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Captive management of ex situ populations of endangered species is traditionally based on pedigree information derived from studbook data. However, molecular methods could provide a powerful set of complementary tools to verify studbook records and also contribute to improving the understanding of the genetic status of captive populations. Here, we compare the utility of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microsatellites (MS) and two analytical methods for assigning parentage in ten families of captive African penguins held in South African facilities. We found that SNPs performed better than microsatellites under both analytical frameworks, but a combination of all markers was most informative. A subset of combined SNP (n = 14) and MS loci (n = 10) provided robust assessments of parentage. Captive or supportive breeding programs will play an important role in future African penguin conservation efforts as a source of individuals for reintroduction. Cooperation among these captive facilities is essential to facilitate this process and improve management. This study provided us with a useful set of SNP and MS markers for parentage and relatedness testing among these captive populations. Further assessment of the utility of these markers over multiple (>3) generations and the incorporation of a larger variety of relationships among individuals (e.g., half-siblings or cousins) is strongly suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan Labuschagne
- Department of Genetics University of the Free State P.O. Box 339 Bloemfontein 9300 South Africa; Inqaba Biotechnical Industries (Pty) Ltd P.O. Box 14356 Hatfield 0028 South Africa
| | - Lisa Nupen
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa P.O. Box 754 Pretoria 0001 South Africa; Department of Biological Sciences Percy FitzPatrick Institute University of Cape Town Rondebosch Cape Town 7701 South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- Department of Genetics University of the Free State P.O. Box 339 Bloemfontein 9300 South Africa; National Zoological Gardens of South Africa P.O. Box 754 Pretoria 0001 South Africa
| | - Paul J Grobler
- Department of Genetics University of the Free State P.O. Box 339 Bloemfontein 9300 South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- Department of Genetics University of the Free State P.O. Box 339 Bloemfontein 9300 South Africa; National Zoological Gardens of South Africa P.O. Box 754 Pretoria 0001 South Africa
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Lehoczky I, Dalton DL, Lanszki J, Sallai Z, Madisha MT, Nupen LJ, Kotzé A. Assessment of population structure in Hungarian otter populations. J Mammal 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyv136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Madisha MT, Ponsonby D, Schwaibold U, Kotzé A, Jansen R, Brettschneider H, Dalton DL. Differentiation of two South African otter species ( Aonyx capensis and Lutra maculicollis ) from spraint based on partial CytB primer sets. Glob Ecol Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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Dalton DL, Linden B, Wimberger K, Nupen LJ, Tordiffe ASW, Taylor PJ, Madisha MT, Kotze A. Correction: new insights into samango monkey speciation in South Africa. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129988. [PMID: 26039549 PMCID: PMC4454699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Dalton DL, Linden B, Wimberger K, Nupen LJ, Tordiffe ASW, Taylor PJ, Madisha MT, Kotze A. New insights into samango monkey speciation in South Africa. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117003. [PMID: 25798604 PMCID: PMC4370472 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The samango monkey is South Africa's only exclusively forest dwelling primate and represents the southernmost extent of the range of arboreal guenons in Africa. The main threats to South Africa's forests and thus to the samango are linked to increasing land-use pressure and increasing demands for forest resources, resulting in deforestation, degradation and further fragmentation of irreplaceable habitats. The species belongs to the highly polytypic Cercopithecus nictitans group which is sometimes divided into two species C. mitis and C. albogularis. The number of subspecies of C. albogularis is also under debate and is based only on differences in pelage colouration and thus far no genetic research has been undertaken on South African samango monkey populations. In this study we aim to further clarify the number of samango monkey subspecies, as well as their respective distributions in South Africa by combining molecular, morphometric and pelage data. Overall, our study provides the most comprehensive view to date into the taxonomic description of samango monkeys in South Africa. Our data supports the identification of three distinct genetic entities namely; C. a. labiatus, C. a. erythrarchus and C. a. schwarzi and argues for separate conservation management of the distinct genetic entities defined by this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiré L. Dalton
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Genetics Department, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Birthe Linden
- Department of Zoology, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
- SARChI Chair on Biodiversity Value & Change in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve & Core Member of Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Kirsten Wimberger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Lisa Jane Nupen
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Adrian S. W. Tordiffe
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Peter John Taylor
- SARChI Chair on Biodiversity Value & Change in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve & Core Member of Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | | | - Antoinette Kotze
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Genetics Department, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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Labuschagne C, Kotzé A, Paul Grobler J, Dalton DL. Endonuclease V digestion for SNP discovery and marker development in South African white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-014-0358-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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McManus JS, Dalton DL, Kotzé A, Smuts B, Dickman A, Marshal JP, Keith M. Gene flow and population structure of a solitary top carnivore in a human-dominated landscape. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:335-44. [PMID: 25691961 PMCID: PMC4314266 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
While African leopard populations are considered to be continuous as demonstrated by their high genetic variation, the southernmost leopard population exists in the Eastern and Western Cape, South Africa, where anthropogenic activities may be affecting this population's structure. Little is known about the elusive, last free-roaming top predator in the region and this study is the first to report on leopard population structuring using nuclear DNA. By analyzing 14 microsatellite markers from 40 leopard tissue samples, we aimed to understand the populations' structure, genetic distance, and gene flow (Nm). Our results, based on spatially explicit analysis with Bayesian methods, indicate that leopards in the region exist in a fragmented population structure with lower than expected genetic diversity. Three population groups were identified, between which low to moderate levels of gene flow were observed (Nm 0.5 to 3.6). One subpopulation exhibited low genetic differentiation, suggesting a continuous population structure, while the remaining two appear to be less connected, with low emigration and immigration between these populations. Therefore, genetic barriers are present between the subpopulations, and while leopards in the study region may function as a metapopulation, anthropogenic activities threaten to decrease habitat and movement further. Our results indicate that the leopard population may become isolated within a few generations and suggest that management actions should aim to increase habitat connectivity and reduce human-carnivore conflict. Understanding genetic diversity and connectivity of populations has important conservation implications that can highlight management of priority populations to reverse the effects of human-caused extinctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannine S McManus
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of the Witwatersrand Private Bag X3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
- Landmark FoundationP.O. Box 22, Riversdale, 6670, South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- National Zoological Gardens of South AfricaP.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Genetics Department, University of the Free StateP.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- National Zoological Gardens of South AfricaP.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Genetics Department, University of the Free StateP.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Bool Smuts
- Landmark FoundationP.O. Box 22, Riversdale, 6670, South Africa
| | - Amy Dickman
- WildCRU, Oxford UniversityAbingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, OX13 5QL, UK
| | - Jason P Marshal
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of the Witwatersrand Private Bag X3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
| | - Mark Keith
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental SciencesUniversity of the Witwatersrand Private Bag X3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
- Centre for Wildlife Management, University of PretoriaPrivate Bag X20 Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
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Boakye MK, Pietersen DW, Kotzé A, Dalton DL, Jansen R. Ethnomedicinal use of African pangolins by traditional medical practitioners in Sierra Leone. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2014; 10:76. [PMID: 25412571 PMCID: PMC4247607 DOI: 10.1186/1746-4269-10-76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pangolins (Manidae) have long been used for traditional medicinal purposes in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. However, very little is known about the extent of this use, the body parts that are used and the ailments these practices are attempting to cure or alleviate. Pangolin body parts are used extensively and frequently by traditional medical practitioners in Sierra Leone. METHODS A total of 63 traditional medical practitioners consented and were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires on the traditional medicinal use of pangolin body parts. The use value, informant agreement ratio and use agreement value for each pangolin part was calculated to ascertain the most sought after body part, the level of knowledge dissemination among traditional medical practitioners about body parts and the most culturally significant body part. RESULTS It was found that 22 pangolin parts are used to treat various ailments and conditions under 17 international categories of diseases. The highest use value was recorded for scales while eyes had the highest level of consensus among the traditional medical practitioners. The highest use value and informant agreement ratio for scales were recorded for spiritual ailments. Scales were the most culturally significant body part according to the use agreement value. CONCLUSION This study indicates a high importance value for pangolins as part of these communities' spiritual, cultural and medicinal beliefs. However, the numbers of individuals harvested from the wild remains unknown and unregulated even though pangolins have been listed under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972, of Sierra Leone, which prohibits any person from hunting or being in possession of pangolins. It is likely that this unregulated harvesting and poaching of this threatened species, for medicinal purposes, is unsustainable and there is an urgent need to determine pangolin population abundance within this region to ensure their sustainable harvesting for cultural use and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell K Boakye
- />Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, P/Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
| | - Darren W Pietersen
- />African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), P/Bag X680, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- />African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), P/Bag X680, Pretoria, South Africa
- />National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
- />Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa
| | - Desiré L Dalton
- />National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
- />Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa
| | - Raymond Jansen
- />Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, P/Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa
- />African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), P/Bag X680, Pretoria, South Africa
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Dalton DL, Tordiffe A, Luther I, Duran A, van Wyk AM, Brettschneider H, Oosthuizen A, Modiba C, Kotzé A. Interspecific hybridization between greater kudu and nyala. Genetica 2014; 142:265-71. [PMID: 24906427 DOI: 10.1007/s10709-014-9772-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Hybridization of wildlife species, even in the absence of introgression, is of concern due to wasted reproductive effort and a reduction in productivity. In this study we detail an accidental mating between a female nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) and a male greater kudu (T. strepsiceros). The hybrid was phenotypically nyala and was identified as such based on mitochondrial DNA. Further genetic analysis based on nine microsatellite markers, chromosome number and chromosome morphology however, confirmed its status as an F1 hybrid. Results obtained from a reproductive potential assessment indicated that this animal does not have the potential to breed successfully and can be considered as sterile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiré L Dalton
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa,
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Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Van Marle-Köster E, Jonker T, Dalton DL. The Tankwa Karoo National Park feral goat population: A unique genetic resource. S AFR J ANIM SCI 2014. [DOI: 10.4314/sajas.v44i1.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Crottini A, Bollen A, Weldon C, Dalton DL, Kotzé A, Noël J, Iambana B, Andreone F. Amphibian survey and current absence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in Ivoloina Park, Toamasina (eastern Madagascar). AFR J HERPETOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2013.833994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO – Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Vairão, Portugal
| | | | - Ché Weldon
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Desiré L. Dalton
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Genetics Department, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Antoinette Kotzé
- National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
- Genetics Department, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Jean Noël
- Madagascar Fauna Group, Toamasina, Madagascar
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Dalton DL, Charruau P, Boast L, Kotzé A. Social and genetic population structure of free-ranging cheetah in Botswana: implications for conservation. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-013-0692-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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van Wyk AM, Kotzé A, Randi E, Dalton DL. A hybrid dilemma: a molecular investigation of South African bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) and blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi). CONSERV GENET 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-013-0448-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Labuschagne C, Dalton DL, Kotzé A. Isolation and characterization of SNP markers for African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus). CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-012-9708-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Dalton DL, van Wyk AM, Kotzé A. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi). CONSERV GENET RESOUR 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s12686-011-9431-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Aggarwal RK, Allainguillaume J, Bajay MM, Barthwal S, Bertolino P, Chauhan P, Consuegra S, Croxford A, Dalton DL, den Belder E, Díaz-Ferguson E, Douglas MR, Drees M, Elderson J, Esselink GD, Fernández-Manjarrés JF, Frascaria-Lacoste N, Gäbler-Schwarz S, Garcia de Leaniz C, Ginwal HS, Goodisman MAD, Guo B, Hamilton MB, Hayes PK, Hong Y, Kajita T, Kalinowski ST, Keller L, Koop BF, Kotzé A, Lalremruata A, Leese F, Li C, Liew WY, Martinelli S, Matthews EA, Medlin LK, Messmer AM, Meyer EI, Monteiro M, Moyer GR, Nelson RJ, Nguyen TTT, Omoto C, Ono J, Pavinato VAC, Pearcy M, Pinheiro JB, Power LD, Rawat A, Reusch TBH, Sanderson D, Sannier J, Sathe S, Sheridan CK, Smulders MJM, Sukganah A, Takayama K, Tamura M, Tateishi Y, Vanhaecke D, Vu NV, Wickneswari R, Williams AS, Wimp GM, Witte V, Zucchi MI. Permanent genetic resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 August 2010-30 September 2010. Mol Ecol Resour 2011; 11:219-22. [PMID: 21429127 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2010.02944.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This article documents the addition of 229 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Acacia auriculiformis × Acacia mangium hybrid, Alabama argillacea, Anoplopoma fimbria, Aplochiton zebra, Brevicoryne brassicae, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Bucorvus leadbeateri, Delphacodes detecta, Tumidagena minuta, Dictyostelium giganteum, Echinogammarus berilloni, Epimedium sagittatum, Fraxinus excelsior, Labeo chrysophekadion, Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, Paratrechina longicornis, Phaeocystis antarctica, Pinus roxburghii and Potamilus capax. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Acacia peregrinalis, Acacia crassicarpa, Bruguiera cylindrica, Delphacodes detecta, Tumidagena minuta, Dictyostelium macrocephalum, Dictyostelium discoideum, Dictyostelium purpureum, Dictyostelium mucoroides, Dictyostelium rosarium, Polysphondylium pallidum, Epimedium brevicornum, Epimedium koreanum, Epimedium pubescens, Epimedium wushanese and Fraxinus angustifolia.
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Affiliation(s)
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- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR), Hyderabad 500007, India
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Abstract
Elevated serum prostate-specific antigen secondary to acute bacterial prostatitis occurred in 2 patients. This cause of increased PSA has not been documented previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Dalton
- Department of Urology, St. Lukes Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida
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Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to study digestion and utilization of dry and high moisture barley. Dry matter yield of dry barley was 2.99 tonnes/ha in contrast to 3.58 tonnes/ha for high moisture barley. In Experiment 1, 38 cows in early to midlactation were assigned to two diets (40% alfalfa hay; 9.4% supplement and 50.6% barley, DM basis) that differed only in the type of barley fed: diet 1, rolled dry barley, and diet 2, rolled high moisture barley. Although DM intake, milk yield, and 4% FCM were not significantly influenced by diet, cows fed diet 2 had higher milk persistency than those fed diet 1. In Experiment 2, three lactating cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulae were assigned to three dietary treatments in a Latin square design. Diets 1 and 2 were as in Experiment 1, whereas diet 3 contained ground high moisture barley. Digestibility coefficients tended to be lower and duodenal starch percent higher for cows fed diet 3 than those fed diets 1 or 2. No significant dietary differences were observed in ruminal pH, VFA, or ammonia concentrations. Although ensiling and processing influenced the rate and extent of DM and CP degradation in situ, treatment did not influence effective degradability. Results suggest that the feeding value of high moisture barley for lactating cows is equivalent to dry barley on a DM basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Kennelly
- Department of Animal Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton
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Abstract
Administration of progesterone (P4, .55 mg/kg) and estrone (E1, .275 micrograms/kg) during discrete periods in early gestation was found to have beneficial effects on conceptus development in gilts. Three trials were conducted, with each trial examining two hormone treatment groups and one control group. In all trials, P4-E1 supplementation for either one or both of the time periods examined resulted in larger (P less than .05) placentas at d 50 of gestation. Administration of exogenous P4-E1 from either d 20 to 30 (trial 1) or d 25 to 30 (trial 3) of gestation resulted in the greatest augmentation in placental development. In all three trials, exogenous P4-E1 elicited beneficial effects on areolae formation and development. In all nine groups examined (both P4-E1-treated and controls), a positive uterine artery minus uterine vein difference in progesterone concentration was found. This suggests that the conceptus is metabolizing progesterone to metabolites that may have a local effect within the pregnant uterus. It is suggested that augmentation of placental growth, as demonstrated in this study, may reduce secondary fetal death losses in latter gestation (i.e., post-d 70) due to placental insufficiency.
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Abstract
An example of a blind-ending branch of a bifid ureter in a woman presenting with a urinary tract infection is reported. Definition, diagnosis, and treatment of this anomaly are discussed.
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Abstract
The authors add an additional case to the 13 cases of malignant interstitial cell tumor of the testis previously reported in the literature. It has been thought that the hallmark of metastatic interstitial cell tumor of the testis is endocrinopathy secondary to production of hormones by the tumor. In the case reported here there were no clinical or chemical manifestations of any endocrinopathy, making this case unique.
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Abstract
Experimental and clinical aspects of calculogenesis about foreign bodies are reviewed. Factors such as infections, urine dilution, urinary pH, and suture materials are discussed from an investigative point of view. The various kinds of clinical foreign body stones reported are categorized according to the manner of introduction into the urinary tract and anatomic locations.
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Dalton DL, Anderson EE, Paulson DF. Anuria resulting from extrinsic ureteral compression. South Med J 1975; 68:711-6. [PMID: 1135646 DOI: 10.1097/00007611-197506000-00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Two recent patients presenting with anuria due to abdominal aortic aneurysm and metastatic retroperitoneal tumor and illustrating this dramatic aspect of obstructive uropathy, provide the basis for this paper. Other reported causes of ureteral compression resulting in anuria are mentioned; these include billharzial strictures, iatrogenic ligatures, idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, primary retroperitoneal tumors, and perirenal lymphocele.
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