scholarly journals The Genetic Diversity and Population Genetic Structure of the Red Panda, Ailurus fulgens, in Zoos in China

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1008
Author(s):  
Yun-fang Xiu ◽  
Cheng-Chi Liu ◽  
Su-hui Xu ◽  
Chen-Si Lin ◽  
Chin-Cheng Chou

In China, red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) have been raised in zoos for 60 years. It is very important to understand the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the captive red pandas. Based on 19 microsatellite loci, we investigated genetic diversity and population genetic structure of 116 captive red pandas, with samples taken from 11 captive populations in China. Our results revealed a high genetic diversity among the populations, with mean allelic richness varying from 3.505 (Beijing) to 4.026 (Mianning), and expected heterozygosities varying from 0.631 (Huangshan) to 0.782 (Wenling). In particular, significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was found in populations of Fuzhou and Jiangsu. The genetic differentiation index across all populations was 0.055, indicating a significant genetic differentiation among the 11 populations. These populations could be divided into three genetic clusters using a microsatellite-based Bayesian clustering analysis, which were consistent with the clustering results of wild populations. We conclude that the genetic diversity among captive red pandas is as high as that of the wild population. More attention should be paid to develop a proper and scientifically-based management program to avoid inbreeding and maintain a high genetic diversity in captive red pandas.

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soyeon Park ◽  
Pureum Noh ◽  
Yu-Seong Choi ◽  
Sungbae Joo ◽  
Gilsang Jeong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ikonnikov’s whiskered bat (Myotis ikonnikovi) is found throughout the Korean Peninsula, as well as in Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan. It is small-sized and primarily inhabits old-growth forests. The decrease and fragmentation of habitats due to increased human activity may influence the genetic structure of bat populations. This study was designed to elucidate the population genetic structure of M. ikonnikovi using mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b). Results The results showed that M. ikonnikovi populations from Korea have high genetic diversity. Although genetic differentiation was not detected for the COI gene, strong genetic differentiation of the Cytb gene between Mt. Jeombong and Mt. Jiri populations was observed. Moreover, the results indicated that the gene flow of the maternal lineage may be limited. Conclusions This study is the first to identify the genetic population structure of M. ikonnikovi. We suggest that conservation of local populations is important for sustaining the genetic diversity of the bat, and comprehensive studies on factors causing habitat fragmentation are required.


2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. F. Vahidi ◽  
M. O. Faruque ◽  
M. Falahati Anbaran ◽  
F. Afraz ◽  
S. M. Mousavi ◽  
...  

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1651
Author(s):  
Lwamkelekile Sitshilelo Mkize ◽  
Oliver Tendayi Zishiri

The bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA-DRB3) gene is an important region that codes for glycoproteins responsible for the initiation of an immune response. BoLA-DRB3 alleles have been demonstrated to be associated with disease resistance/tolerance. Therefore, great genetic diversity is correlated with better adaptation, fitness, and robustness. The current study was conducted to assess the population genetic structure of the BoLA-DRB3 gene in Nguni crossbred cattle using polymerase chain reaction-sequence based typing (PCR-SBT). High genetic diversity was detected, with 30 alleles, 11 of which are novel to the study. Alleles DRB3*0201, DRB3*0701, DRB*0901, and DRB*1601 were present in all populations and accounted for nearly around 50% of all observed alleles. A mean genetic diversity (HE) of 0.93 was detected. The high overall genetic diversity is possibly associated with pathogen-assisted selection and heterozygote advantage. Such high diversity might explain the hardiness of the Nguni crossbred cattle to the Southern African region. Low population genetic structure was identified (FST = 0.01), suggesting possible gene flow between populations and retention of similar alleles. The study was undertaken to bridge the dearth of such studies in South African breeds and it is imperative for effective sustainability of indigenous breeds and the implementation of effective breeding strategies.


Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Tan ◽  
Zhi-Gang Zhao ◽  
Jun-Jie Guo ◽  
Chun-Sheng Wang ◽  
Jie Zeng

Erythrophleum fordii Oliv. is a valuable rosewood species indigenous to the tropical and warm sub-tropical zones of Vietnam, Laos, and South China. The natural forests have been heavily fragmented mostly due to over-exploitation and over-utilization, and alteration to croplands and fast-growing plantations. Therefore, it has been included in the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species as an endangered species. In the present study, genetic diversity and population genetic structure of 11 populations were estimated by SSR makers in South China. Five high polymorphic loci were studied with a total of 34 alleles, among which, seven were private alleles. The mean number of alleles per locus (A), the mean number of efficient alleles per locus (Ae), the observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity, and Shannon’s index (I) of the 11 populations were 3.40, 2.31, 0.52, 0.56, and 0.90, respectively. Correlation analysis between genetic parameters and geographical factors showed that He and I were in significant negative correlation with longitude, indicating that genetic diversity of E. fordii reduced gradually from West to East in south China. FIS of eight populations with above five samples was on average 0.01, most loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in these populations; their genetic differentiation coefficient (FST) was 0.18, indicating that genetic differentiation among populations was relatively low and there existed 18% genetic variation among populations. Gene flow (Nm) between these populations was 1.28. The Mantel test showed that genetic distance was not significantly correlated with geographical distance (p > 0.05). It was concluded that populations with high genetic diversity or private alleles, especially Longmen, Wuming and Pingxiang populations should be a priority for in situ conservations, meanwhile more populations and as many families as possible in each population should be collected for ex situ conservations of germplasm resources of this species in the future.


2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Sinclair ◽  
Siegfried Krauss ◽  
Belinda Cheetham ◽  
Richard Hobbs

The importance of genetic issues associated with the sourcing of propagules is increasingly recognised for successful ecological restoration. A consideration of life history traits has contributed to ‘best-guess’ scenarios on the appropriate location and desirable properties of local provenance source populations, but these can lack precision. For clonal species, population genetic structure and variation will depend on the balance between the extent and growth rate of asexual clones, sexual reproduction, pollen dispersal, and subsequent seed dispersal and recruitment. We assessed patterns of population genetic structure and variation for Alexgeorgea nitens (Nees) L. Johnston & B. Briggs (Restionaceae), a dioecious, clonal, perennial species, with novel life history traits. Our results show high levels of genetic diversity within populations, and surprisingly low levels of population differentiation (ΦST = 0.17). We suggest that the high genetic diversity observed within these populations reflects extensive pollen dispersal and successful seeding (sexual reproduction) and recruitment events, even though direct observations of seedling recruitment are rare. In this case, a ‘best-guess’ propagule-sourcing scenario based on life-history traits that appear to limit dispersal capability does not predict the extent of high local genetic diversity and weak population genetic structure in A. nitens.


Author(s):  
Luis E. Rodríguez de Francisco ◽  
Rosanna Carreras-De León ◽  
Rafael M. Navarro Cerrillo ◽  
Liz A. Paulino-Gervacio ◽  
María-Dolores Rey ◽  
...  

<i>Pinus occidentalis</i> is the dominant species of forest ecosystems in the Dominican Republic, located between 200 and 3000 meters above sea level, with extensive and overexploited natural populations. However, over the years, various restoration plans have been performed, which could affect the genetic structure of <i>P. occidentalis</i>. Despite being the species with the highest occurrence in the Dominican forests, there is no existing information on genetic structure and molecular characterization among natural populations with limited information on both phenological and productive characterization. In this study, the genetic structure, diversity, and gene flow of the five <i>P. occidentalis</i> natural populations of the Dominican Republic were determined using microsatellite markers. A total of 145 individuals were genotyped with eight polymorphic chloroplastic microsatellites, producing an average of 41 haplotypes with high genetic diversity across populations (H<sub>E</sub> = 0.90). Significant population genetic structure was found between populations (F<sub>ST</sub> = 0.123). These results reflect the impact of reforestation programs on natural populations and diluting the natural genetic signature. Analysis of population genetic data is, therefore, crucial for the breeding and conservation programs of <i>P. occidentalis</i> in the country.


Author(s):  
Assel Akhmetova ◽  
Jimena Guerrero ◽  
Paul McAdam ◽  
Liliana C.M. Salvador ◽  
Joseph Crispell ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundBovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a costly epidemiologically complex, multi-host, endemic disease. Lack of understanding of transmission dynamics may undermine eradication efforts. Pathogen whole genome sequencing improves epidemiological inferences, providing a means to determine the relative importance of inter- and intra- species host transmission for disease persistence. We sequenced an exceptional data set of 619Mycobacterium bovisisolates from badgers and cattle in a 100km2bTB ‘hotspot’ in Northern Ireland. Historical molecular subtyping data permitted the targeting of an endemic pathogen lineage, whose long-term persistence provided a unique opportunity to study disease transmission dynamics in unparalleled detail. Additionally, to assess whether badger population genetic structure was associated with the spatial distribution of pathogen genetic diversity, we microsatellite genotyped hair samples from 769 badgers trapped in this area.ResultsGraph transmission tree methods and structured coalescent analyses indicated the majority of bacterial diversity was found in the local cattle population. Results pointed to transmission from cattle to badger being more common than badger to cattle. Furthermore, the presence of significant badger population genetic structure in the landscape was not associated with the spatial distribution ofM. bovisgenetic diversity, suggesting that badger-to-badger transmission may not be a key determinant of disease persistence.SignificanceOur data were consistent with badgers playing a smaller role in the maintenance ofM. bovisinfection in this study site, compared to cattle. Comparison to other areas suggests thatM. bovistransmission dynamics are likely to be context dependent, and the role of wildlife difficult to generalise.


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