The Bornean elephant population in Sabah, with only 2,000 individuals, is currently mainly restricted to a limited number of forest reserves. The main threats to the species" survival are population fragmentation and isolation of the existing herds. To support and help monitor future conservation and management measures, we assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of Bornean elephants using mitochondrial DNA, microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms. Our results confirmed a previously reported lack of mitochondrial control region diversity, characterized by a single widespread haplotype. However, we found low but significant degree of genetic differentiation among populations and marked variation in genetic diversity with the other two types of markers among Bornean elephants. Microsatellite data showed that Bornean elephants from the Lower Kinabatangan and North Kinabatangan ranges are differentiated and perhaps isolated from the main elephant populations located in the Central Forest and Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The pairwise F ST values between these sites ranged from 0.08 to 0.14 (p < 0.001). Data from these markers also indicate that the Bornean elephant populations from Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary and North Kinabatangan (Deramakot Forest Reserve) possess higher levels of genetic variation compared to the elephant populations from other areas. Our results suggest that (i) Bornean elephants probably derive from a very small female population, (ii) they rarely disperse across current human-dominated landscapes that separate forest fragments, and (iii) forest fragments are predominantly comprised of populations that are already undergoing genetic drift. To maintain the current levels of genetic diversity in fragmented habitats, conservation of the Bornean elephants should aim at securing connectivity between spatially distinct populations. Study sites and samplingElephants in Sabah are distributed in five main ranges: i) Lower Kinabatangan, ii) North Kinabatangan (Deramakot, Tangkulap and Segaliud Forest Reserves), iii) Central Forest (Ulu Segama, Malua, Kuamut, Gunung Rara, and Kalabakan Forest Reserves, Danum Valley and Maliau Basin Conservation Areas), iv) Tabin Wildlife Reserve, and v) Ulu Kalumpang (Alfred et al., 2010; Elephant Action Plan, Sabah Wildlife Department, 2012-2016. All ranges (but Ulu Kalumpang, due to its inaccessibility) were covered and systematically searched for elephant feces between October 2005 and November 2007 (Figure 1). Samples were mainly collected along logging roads where elephants consume grass and travel. The same procedure was conducted for three ranges (Central Sabah, Tabin and North Kinabatangan). For the Lower Kinabatangan population, samples were collected along the main river, in riparian feeding areas where individuals were encountered, allowing collection of fresh samples. Samples were collected during field expeditions of 5-7 days, giving a short time period during which samples were collected from every location. Fresh elephant du...
We analyzed mtDNA polymorphisms (parts of control region, ND5, ND2, Cytb, 12S, together 902 bp) in 59 scat and 18 tissue samples from 13 Indian populations of the critically endangered Indian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), along with zoo animals as reference. Northern tiger populations exhibit two unique haplotypes suggesting genetic isolation. Western populations from Sariska (extinct in 2004) and Ranthambore are genetically similar, such that Ranthambore could serve as a source for reintroduction in Sariska. Zoo populations maintain mitochondrial lineages that are rare or absent in the wild.
Bengal tigers are highly endangered and knowledge on adaptive genetic variation can be essential for efficient conservation and management. Here we present the first assessment of allelic variation in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and MHC class II DRB genes for wild and captive tigers from India. We amplified, cloned, and sequenced alpha-1 and alpha-2 domain of MHC class I and beta-1 domain of MHC class II DRB genes in 16 tiger specimens of different geographic origin. We detected high variability in peptide-binding sites, presumably resulting from positive selection. Tigers exhibit a low number of MHC DRB alleles, similar to other endangered big cats. Our initial assessment-admittedly with limited geographic coverage and sample size-did not reveal significant differences between captive and wild tigers with regard to MHC variability. In addition, we successfully amplified MHC DRB alleles from scat samples. Our characterization of tiger MHC alleles forms a basis for further in-depth analyses of MHC variability in this illustrative threatened mammal.
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