African wild dogs: Genetic viability of translocated populations across South Africa

Tensen, Laura; Vuuren, Bettine Jansen van; Plessis, Cole du; Marneweck, David G.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2019.03.033

Cited by 20 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 75 publications

(100 reference statements)

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“…Due to the success of the metapopulation in South Africa [ 36 ], multiple wild dogs were available as surplus individuals and packs. Considering this availability and their high levels of genetic diversity [ 78 ], wild dogs sourced from the metapopulation in South Africa were determined to be appropriate founders for the reintroduction. Across Africa, there are two main genetic clades that are distinguished for wild dogs referred to as the E genotype from eastern Africa and the S genotype from southern Africa [ 79 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We initiated phase one in 2018 which involved the translocation of nine adult males from the uMkhuze section of iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal (-27.64026°, 32.15859°) and one adult and five yearling females from a free roaming pack in the Magudu area in KwaZulu-Natal (-27.50140°, 31.55088°). These male and female groups were unrelated [ 78 ] and were deemed ideal for artificial bonding to create a new pack in the pre-release enclosure.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The successful reintroduction of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

et al. 2021

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Large carnivores have experienced widespread extirpation and species are now threatened globally. The ecological impact of the loss of large carnivores has been prominent in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, after most were extirpated during the 1977–92 civil war. To remedy this, reintroductions are now being implemented in Gorongosa, initiating with endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), hereafter ‘wild dogs’. We describe the first transboundary translocation and reintroduction of founding packs of wild dogs to Gorongosa over a 28-month study period and evaluate the success of the reintroduction based on five key indicator categories. We also assess how wild dog space use and diet influenced their success. We found that pre-release, artificial pack formation in holding enclosures aided group cohesion and alpha pair establishment. Post-release, we also observed natural pack formations as a result of multiple dispersal events. Founder and naturally formed packs produced pups in two of the three breeding seasons and packs successfully recruited pups. Survival rate for all wild dogs was 73% and all mortality events were from natural causes. Consequently, the population grew significantly over the study period. All indicators of success were fully achieved and this study documents the first successful reintroduction of wild dogs into a large, unfenced landscape in Mozambique and only the second on the continent. Potential mechanisms underlying these early successes were the avoidance of habitats intensively used by lions, dietary partitioning with lion, avoidance of human settlements, and Gorongosa’s management strategy. We predict further population expansion in Gorongosa given that 68% of the park is still unused by wild dogs. This expansion could be stimulated by continued reintroductions over the short- to medium-term. Recovery of wild dogs in Gorongosa could aid in the re-establishment of a larger, connected population across the greater Gorongosa-Marromeu landscape.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The successful reintroduction of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

et al. 2021

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“…Although several studies have examined the genetic diversity of APD in wild and managed populations in southern africa and east africa [7,8,[30][31][32]74,76], until now, only one other comprehensive molecular genetic analysis of APD in captivity has been conducted. Marsden et al [18] examined the same molecular markers (D-loop, DLA-DRB1, and microsatellites) as our study in the European captive APD population and compared them to wild and captive populations in South Africa.…”

Section: Comparison Of Mtdna Haplotypes With Managed European and With Wild Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Inbreeding and genetic drift in these small and isolated wild populations has led to loss of allelic richness and heterozygosity over time [7]. Thus, these wild populations remain under threat, and ensuring their sustainability in the long term will require continued legal protection as well as a variety of conservation measures, including translocations and reintroductions [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America

Miller‐Butterworth

Vacco²,

Russell

et al. 2021

Genes

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African painted dogs (Lycaon pictus, APD) are highly endangered, with fewer than 7000 remaining in nature. Captive breeding programs can preserve a genetically diverse population and provide a source of individuals for reintroductions. However, most programs are initiated from few founders and suffer from low genetic diversity and inbreeding. The aims of this study were to use molecular markers to assess genetic variation, inbreeding, and relatedness among APDs in the North American captive population, to use these data to realign studbook records, and to compare these data to wild populations and to the European captive population to facilitate the development of a global management plan. We sequenced mitochondrial and major histocompatibility (MHC) class II loci and genotyped 14 microsatellite loci from 109 APDs from 34 institutions in North America. We identified three likely studbook errors and resolved ten cases of uncertain paternity. Overall, microsatellite heterozygosity was higher than reported in Europe, but effective population size estimates were lower. Mitochondrial sequence variation was extremely limited, and there were fewer MHC haplotypes than in Europe or the wild. Although the population did not show evidence of significant inbreeding overall, several individuals shared high relatedness values, which should be incorporated into future breeding programs.

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“…Due to the success of the metapopulation in South Africa [36], multiple wild dogs were available as surplus individuals and packs. Considering this availability and their high levels of genetic diversity [78], wild dogs sourced from the metapopulation in South Africa were determined to be appropriate founders for the reintroduction. Across Africa, there are two main genetic clades that are distinguished for wild dogs referred to as the E genotype from eastern Africa and the S genotype from southern Africa [79].…”

Section: Sourcing Of Founder Packsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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African wild dogs: Genetic viability of translocated populations across South Africa

Cited by 20 publications

References 75 publications

The successful reintroduction of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

The successful reintroduction of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America

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