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

Abstract

Genetic variations in the giant panda populations in Wanglang and Baoxing Nature Reserves were evaluated in this study. Panda feces were collected from these two reserves and DNA samples extracted from the feces were genotyped at 13 microsatellite loci. A total of 130 alleles were identified from the 13 microsatellite loci in 63 giant pandas, including 35 private alleles in Wanglang, 53 private alleles in Baoxing, and 42 alleles shared between the two populations. The mean observed heterozygosity, average number of alleles, average number of allelic richness, and average polymorphism information content were 0.488, 6.2, 3.302, and 0.612, respectively for the Wanglang population and 0.553, 7.6, 4.050, and 0.747 for the Baoxing population. A moderate degree of genetic differentiation (F st = 0.26) and no gene flow were found between these two populations.

Microsatellite variability reveals significant genetic differentiation of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in the Minshan A habitat

“…In our studies, the high individual inbreeding coefficients (F IS ) in the Wanglang were tested using microsatellite genotype data. This conclusion was consistent with those of He et al (2008) and Shen et al (2009). Fortunately, our results showed that giant pandas among the two studied reserves have preserved a surprisingly high level of genetic diversity and expected heterzygosity (H E ) was 0.689 for Tangjiahe and 0.648 for Wanglang (Table 1).…”

“…Habitat fragmentation may accelerate loss of genetic variability due to random genetic drift and a potential increased level of inbreeding in the small remnant populations (Hartl and Clark, 1997;Keller et al, 2004). Changes in allelic diversity may occur faster in isolated populations and cause stronger differentiation between the populations (He et al, 2008). Additionally, the high individual inbreeding coefficients (F IS ) in those isolated populations indicate increased levels of homozygosity in wild populations.…”

“…In previous studies, various kinds of molecular genetic were used to assess the giant panda's genetic diversity patterns and examine its evolutionary process (Zhang and Su, 1997;Lü et al, 2001;Zhan et al, 2007;Zhang et al, 2007;He et al, 2008). Recently, research indicates that microsatellite markers can be successfully amplified from fecal samples and could be used to accurately identify individuals, census the population and evaluate population genetic status Zhan et al, 2006;Zhang et al, 2007;Cronin et al, 2009 Although, Minshan A habitat may be threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, there have been few efforts to evaluate the effects of habitat fragmentation on population genetic structure of giant pandas.…”

Microsatellite variability reveals high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation in a critical giant panda population

“…In our study, 201 noninvasive samples (113 from Hongshihe, 85 from Motianling and three from Luoyigou) were collected from Tangjiahe NR, with 46 good quality DNA samples (40 fecal and six hair samples) being suitable for further microsatellite amplification. The low success rate of DNA extraction was mostly due to DNA long-term degradation affected by many factors in the environment (Taberlet et al, 1996;He et al, 2008). Additionally, it was difficult to search for fresh feces and available hair samples in the field.…”

“…Protein electrophoresis (Su et al, 1994), mitochondrial DNA Lü et al, 2001;Zhang et al, 2007), minisatellite DNA (Fang et al, 1997;Wan et al, 2005) and microsatellite loci analysis (Lü et al, 2001;Zhan et al, 2006;Zhang et al, 2007;He et al, 2008;Shen et al, 2009;Hu et al, 2010) have been used to assess the amount and distribution of genetic variability present in wild giant pandas. Some researchers assumed that wild populations might have low genetic variability (Su et al, 1994;Zhang et al, 1997;Fang et al, 1997).…”