Genetic Analyses of Non-invasively Collected Samples Aids in the Conservation of Elephants

Ahlering, Marissa A.; Budd, Kris; Schuttler, Stephanie G.; Eggert, Lori S.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-33334-8_11

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The studies found that the Nakai population had a combination of high genetic diversity, largely intact social structure, and relatively large size, all of which identified it as having high conservation value (Ahlering, Hedges, et al, 2011 ; Hedges et al, 2013 ). In subsequent comparisons of the results of the 2006 Nakai study with elephant populations elsewhere in Asia, Ahlering et al ( 2020 ) reiterated the importance of the high levels of genetic diversity found in the Nakai elephant population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a hydropower project on a high‐value Asian elephant population

Budd,

Suddychan,

Tyson

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading contributors to the endangered status of species. In 2006, the Nakai Plateau contained the largest known Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), and the population was among those with the highest genetic diversity reported for Asian elephants. In 2008, completion of the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric dam inundated much of the Plateau, resulting in the loss of 40% of elephant habitat. We studied elephant presence, movements, and the incidence of human–elephant conflict (HEC) on the Nakai Plateau and surrounding areas from 2004 to 2020, before and for 12 years after dam completion. To examine contemporary population dynamics in the Nakai elephants, we used genetic sampling to compare minimum population numbers, demography, and levels of genetic diversity from the wet and dry seasons in 2018/2019, 10 years after dam completion, with those reported in a pre‐dam‐completion genetic survey. After dam completion, we found a major increase in HEC locally and the creation of new, serious, and persistent HEC problems as far as 100 km away. While we were unable to compare estimated population sizes before and after dam completion, our data revealed a decrease in genetic diversity, a male‐biased sex ratio, and evidence of dispersal from the Plateau by breeding‐age females. Our results raise concerns about the long‐term viability of this important population as well as that of other species in this region. Given that hydropower projects are of economic importance throughout Laos and elsewhere in southeast Asia, this study has important implications for understanding and mitigating their impact.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a hydropower project on a high‐value Asian elephant population

Budd,

Suddychan,

Tyson

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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“…de Flamingh et al 2023). Non-invasive samples are much easier to obtain, store and analyze and have been demonstrated to be an important tool in conservation efforts of African and Asian elephants (Ahlering et al 2020). Our in-solution capture assay presents a cost-effective approach to genotype thousands of genomic markers in a single assay and is particularly well-suited for non-invasive samples (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genomic Resources for Asian (Elephas maximus) and African Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana) Conservation and Health Research

Prado

Armstrong

Brown

et al. 2023

Preprint

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We provide novel genomic resources to help understand the genomic traits involved in elephant health and to aid conservation efforts. We sequence 11 elephant genomes (5 African savannah, 6 Asian) from North American zoos, including 9 de novo assemblies. We estimate elephant germline mutation rates and reconstruct demographic histories. Finally, we provide an in-solution capture assay to genotype Asian elephants. This assay is suitable for analyzing degraded museum and non-invasive samples, such as feces and hair. The elephant genomic resources we present here should allow for more detailed and uniform studies in the future to aid elephant conservation efforts and disease research.

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