Genetic differentiation and subspecies development of the giant panda as revealed by DNA fingerprinting

Abstract

Over the last 100 years giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have been separated into six completely isolated mountain ranges. DNA fingerprinting revealed different differentiation patterns in giant pandas, including early-stage, late-stage, recent divergence and recent genetic depression. A separation around 10 000 years ago resulted in highly significant differences in DNA fingerprints and morphological characteristics between Qinling and Sichuan populations. Supported by morphological differences, the genetic data were used to classify the Qinling population as a new subspecies, A. m. qinlingensis, while the Sichuan populations were classified into the original subspecies, A. m. melanoleuca. Thus, the Qinling population deserves management as a separate unit. In the Sichuan populations, two management units were defined, including Qionglai-Minshan and Daxiangling-Xiaoxiangling-Liangshan. Our data suggest urgent measures are needed to establish green corridors between subpopulations in each mountain range to increase gene flow and genetic variation to ensure long-term survival.

DENTAL ABNORMALITIES OF EIGHT WILD QINLING GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA QINLINGENSIS), SHAANXI PROVINCE, CHINA

“…However, they retain the digestive system of a carnivore, and thus derive little energy and little protein from the consumption of bamboo (Hu 2001;Wan et al 2003). Because the diet is low in nutrition, it is important for a wild giant panda to keep its digestive tract full.…”

“…The panda population in these mountains has a unique distribution pattern and evolutionary history. They are different from the mainstream population of A. m. sichuanensis in morphology and molecular biology (Lu et al 2001;Loucks et al 2003;Wan et al 2003Wan et al , 2005Liu et al 2009). Nonetheless, the habits and diet of Qinling pandas are similar to the pandas in Sichuan.…”

“…Two subspecies of giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis and Ailuropoda melanoleuca sichuanensis, are recognized on the basis of cranial features, color patterns, and genetics (Wan et al 2003(Wan et al , 2005. The Qinling subspecies, A. m. qinlingensis, lives only in the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province and has seven regional populations, totaling 273 pandas (Lu et al 2001;Liu et al 2002Liu et al , 2009Hu and Wei, 2004;Feng et al 2009).…”

Genetic diversities of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in Wanglang and Baoxing Nature Reserves

“…At the same time, Wan et al (2006) found relatively low numbers of alleles of the MHC class II DRB locus in giant pandas. However, Lu et al (2001) concluded that panda populations still retained considerable genetic diversity when compared against other carnivorous species, which was insured by Wan et al (2003). Fang et al (2002Fang et al ( , 2003 found the genetic variation in giant panda populations has a relationship with the number of individuals and that larger populations possessed relatively higher genetic variation than smaller populations.…”

The Loss of Genetic Diversity in Sichuan Taimen as Revealed by DNA Fingerprinting

“…DNA fingerprinting is a good marker system (Wan et al, 2004) for small populations and has revealed loss of genetic diversity Fang, 2002, 2003;Wan et al, 2003a), genetic variation between subpopulations (Fang et al, 2002a, and genetic differentiation (Wan et al, 2003b) of endangered animals. With a reliable genetic marker, detecting the loss of genetic diversity requires archival specimens.…”