scholarly journals A century of decline: loss of genetic diversity in a southern African lion-conservation stronghold

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon G. Dures ◽  
Chris Carbone ◽  
Andrew J. Loveridge ◽  
Glyn Maude ◽  
Neil Midlane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Allelic Diversity ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
African Lion ◽  
Loss Of Genetic Diversity ◽  
Extant Population

AbstractAimThere is a dearth of evidence that determines the genetic diversity of populations contained within present-day protected areas compared with their historic state prior to large-scale species declines, making inferences about a species’ conservation genetic status difficult to assess. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of historic specimens to assess the change in genetic diversity over a defined spatial area.LocationLike other species, African lion populations (Panthera leo) are undergoing dramatic contractions in range and declines in numbers, motivating the identification of a number of lion conservation strongholds across East and southern Africa. We focus on one such stronghold, the Kavango-Zambezi transfrontier conservation area (KAZA) of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.MethodsWe compare genetic diversity between historical museum specimens, collected during the late 19th and early 20th century, with samples from the modern extant population. We use 16 microsatellite markers and sequence 337 base pairs of the hypervariable control region (HVR1) of the mitochondrial genome. We use bootstrap resampling to allow for comparisons between the historic and modern data.ResultsWe show that the genetic diversity of the modern population was reduced by 12% to 17%, with a reduction in allelic diversity of approximately 15%, compared to historic populations, in addition to having lost a number of mitochondrial haplotypes. We also identify reduced allelic diversity and a number of ‘ghost alleles’ in the historical samples no longer present in the extant population.Main ConclusionsWe argue a rapid decline in allelic richness after 1895 suggests the erosion of genetic diversity coincides with the rise of a European colonial presence and the outbreak of rinderpest in the region. Our results support the need to improved connectivity between protected areas in order to prevent further loss of genetic diversity in the region.

scholarly journals Allelic diversity in populations of Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil (Solanaceae) in a protected area and a disturbed environment

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 937-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tânia Maria de Moura ◽  
Alexandre Magno Sebbenn ◽  
Karina Martins ◽  
Maria Andreia Moreno ◽  
Giancarlo Conde Xavier Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Allelic Diversity ◽  
Rare Allele ◽  
Conservation Unit ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Disturbed Area ◽  
Disturbed Areas ◽  
Pasture Area ◽  
Two Populations

This study aimed to compare the genetic diversity of populations of Solanum lycocarpum A.St.-Hil between natural and human disturbed environments, with the assumption that protected areas have greater genetic diversity than disturbed areas. For this study, two populations were sampled in Goiás State, Brazil. One was located in a conservation unit, Serra de Caldas Novas State Park, in the Caldas Novas municipality. The other was located in a pasture area in the municipality of Morrinhos. The two populations are 41 km apart. We sampled 60 individuals from each population, which were genotyped with five microsatellite loci (SSR). The highest number of alleles was recorded in the population of the conservation unit, where we found 11 exclusive and five rare alleles. In the disturbed area, we recorded only three exclusive alleles and one rare allele. Although we did not observe significant inbreeding in these populations, genetic divergence between them was high (G ST (Hedrick)=0.147 =0.147) for a species with long distance seed dispersal. The results corroborate the hypothesis that the population in the less disturbed area harbors greater allelic diversity. They also confirm the effectiveness of using protected areas to preserve the genetic diversity of the species.

scholarly journals A century of decline: Loss of genetic diversity in a southern African lion‐conservation stronghold

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 870-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon G. Dures ◽  
Chris Carbone ◽  
Andrew J. Loveridge ◽  
Glyn Maude ◽  
Neil Midlane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
African Lion ◽  
Loss Of Genetic Diversity

Genetic signature of disease epizootic and reintroduction history in an endangered carnivore

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 779-789
Author(s):  
Payton Phillips ◽  
Travis M Livieri ◽  
Bradley J Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Allelic Diversity ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Mustela Nigripes ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity ◽  
Loss Of Genetic Diversity ◽  
Susceptible Populations

Abstract Emerging infectious diseases have recently increased in wildlife and can result in population declines and the loss of genetic diversity in susceptible populations. As populations of impacted species decline, genetic diversity can be lost, with ramifications including reduced effective population size and increased population structuring. For species of conservation concern, which may already have low genetic diversity, the loss of genetic diversity can be especially important. To investigate the impacts of a novel pathogen on genetic diversity in a genetically depauperate endangered species, we assessed the ramifications of a sylvatic plague-induced bottleneck in black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes). Following a plague epizootic, we genotyped 184 ferrets from Conata Basin and Badlands National Park, South Dakota, at seven microsatellite loci. We compared our results to pre-plague studies in the same population. We observed population substructuring into three genetic clusters. These clusters reflect founder effects from ferret reintroduction events followed by genetic drift. Compared to the pre-plague population, we observed losses of allelic diversity in all clusters, as well as significantly reduced heterozygosity in one cluster. These results indicate that disease epizootics may reduce population size and also genetic diversity. Our results suggest the importance of early and sustained management in mitigating disease epizootics in naïve populations for the maintenance of genetic diversity.

scholarly journals Genetic monitoring of the greater stick-nest rat meta-population for strategic supplementation planning

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 941-956
Author(s):  
Lauren C. White ◽  
Vicki A. Thomson ◽  
Rebecca West ◽  
Laura Ruykys ◽  
Kym Ottewell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Common Component ◽  
Loss Of Genetic Diversity ◽  
Source Populations ◽  
Effective Use

Abstract Translocation is an increasingly common component of species conservation efforts. However, translocated populations often suffer from loss of genetic diversity and increased inbreeding, and thus may require active management to establish gene flow across isolated populations. Assisted gene flow can be laborious and costly, so recipient and source populations should be carefully chosen to maximise genetic diversity outcomes. The greater stick-nest rat (GSNR, Leporillus conditor), a threatened Australian rodent, has been the focus of a translocation program since 1985, resulting in five extant translocated populations (St Peter Island, Reevesby Island, Arid Recovery, Salutation Island and Mt Gibson), all derived from a remnant wild population on the East and West Franklin Islands. We evaluated the genetic diversity in all extant GSNR populations using a large single nucleotide polymorphism dataset with the explicit purpose of informing future translocation planning. Our results show varying levels of genetic divergence, inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity in all translocated populations relative to the remnant source on the Franklin Islands. All translocated populations would benefit from supplementation to increase genetic diversity, but two—Salutation Island and Mt Gibson—are of highest priority. We recommend a targeted admixture approach, in which animals for supplementation are sourced from populations that have low relatedness to the recipient population. Subject to assessment of contemporary genetic diversity, St Peter Island and Arid Recovery are the most appropriate source populations for genetic supplementation. Our study demonstrates an effective use of genetic surveys for data-driven management of threatened species.

Characterising essential breeding habitat for whales informs the development of large-scale Marine Protected Areas in the South Pacific

2016 ◽  
Vol 548 ◽  
pp. 263-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
RE Lindsay ◽  
R Constantine ◽  
J Robbins ◽  
DK Mattila ◽  
A Tagarino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
The South

Illegal rattan extraction trends in the Ankasa Conservation Area in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-92
Author(s):  
R. Obour, D. Amankwaa, A. Asare
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Forest Reserve ◽  
The North ◽  
Non Timber Forest Products

Protected Areas (PAs) are created for the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, but many of Ghana’s PAs are subjectto severe pressures and threats, the main pressures being the illegal extraction of natural resources. Rattans are indisputablyone of the most important Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Ghana’s Protected Areas that is without doubt one of thereasons for which it has drawn the attention of researchers. In this study the illegal rattan extraction patterns in the AnkasaConservation Area (ACA) in Ghana was inspected. Simple random sampling and Snowball sampling techniques were used. Datacollection employed the use of semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and field enumeration of rattans as well as an analysisof Effective Patrol Man-days (EPMDS) from 2004 to 2012. The results showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.75, p<0.05, r2 = 0.557) between patrol effort and rattan extraction encounters. In addition, there was a general reduction in illegalrattan extraction encounters from 2004 to 2012 at a rate of 4.3 per year. The highest illegal rattan extraction incidences wererecorded in 2006 (76 encounters), 2005 (35 encounters), 2008 (22 encounters), 2004 (18 encounters) and the least incidencewere recorded in both 2010 (3 encounters) and 2011 (3 encounters).The research also revealed that Eremospatha macrocarpawas the most extracted rattan species followed by Laccosperma secundiflorum. The major rattan extraction and trade routesoriginate in the northern parts and in the area east of the reserve and also south of Draw River Forest Reserve. Generally, rattanpoaching in Ankasa Conservation Area has declined, but there are still human incursions in the northern part of the reserve. Thestudy recommended an intensification of patrols in the north of the reserve. Also, enrichment planting and Agroforestry practicesof inter-cropping rattans with seasonal crops should be pursued vigorously for the local communities.

(A review) Atlas of especially protected natural areas of Saint Petersburg / Ed. in chief V. N. Khramtsov, T. V. Kovaleva, N. Yu. Natsvaladze. St. Petersburg, 2013. 176 p.

2014 ◽  
pp. 124-129
Author(s):  
Z. V. Karamysheva
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Saint Petersburg ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
Original Illustrations ◽  
Vegetation Maps ◽  
Protected Natural Areas

The review contains detailed description of the «Atlas of especially protected natural areas of Saint Petersburg» published in 2013. This publication presents the results of long-term studies of 12 natural protected areas made by a large research team in the years from 2002 to 2013 (see References). The Atlas contains a large number of the historical maps, new satellite images, the original illustrations, detailed texts on the nature of protected areas, summary tables of rare species of vascular plants, fungi and vertebrates recorded in these areas. Special attention is paid to the principles of thematic large-scale mapping. The landscape maps, the vegetation maps as well as the maps of natural processes in landscapes are included. Reviewed Atlas deserves the highest praise.

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