Population Genetic Structure and Habitat Connectivity for Jaguar (Panthera onca) Conservation in Belize

Abstract

Background: Effective connectivity between jaguar ( Panthera onca ) populations across the American continent will ensure the natural gene flow and the long-term survival of the species throughout its range. Jaguar conservation efforts have focused primarily on connecting suitable habitat in a broad-scale. However, accelerated habitat reduction, limited funding, and the complexity of jaguar behaviour have proven challenging to maintain connectivity between populations effectively. Here we used individual-based genetic analysis in synthesis with landscape permeability models to assess levels of current genetic connectivity and identify alternative corridors for jaguar movement between two core areas in central and southern Belize. Results: We use 12 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci to identify 50 distinct individual jaguars, including 41 males, 3 females and 6 undetermined animals, from scat samples collected in The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and The Central Belize Corridor. Using Bayesian and multivariate models of genetic structure, we identified one single group across two sampling sites with low genetic differentiation between them. We used fine-scale data on biodiversity features as vegetation types to predict the most probable corridors using least-cost path analysis and circuit theory. Conclusions: The results of our study highlight the importance of expanding the boundaries of the Central Belize Corridor to effectively cover areas that would more easily facilitate jaguar movement between locations.