Potential genetic consequences of a recent bottleneck in the Amur tiger of

Abstract

The Amur tiger, Panthera tigris altaica, is a highly endangered felid whose range and population size has been severely reduced in recent times. At present, the wild population is estimated at 490 individuals, having rebounded from the 20-30 tigers remaining following a severe bottleneck in the 1940's. The current study presents preliminary data on the patterns and levels of genetic variation in the mitochondrial DNA control region using DNA extracted from non-invasively sampled faecal material, collected throughout the entire range of P. t. altaica in the Russian Far East. Analysis of 82 scat samples representing at least 27 individuals revealed extremely low levels of CR haplotype diversity, characterized by a single widespread haplotype (96.4%) and two rare variants, each differing by a single step within the hypervariable I (2.4%) and central conserved regions (1.2%), respectively. A comparison with previous data on cytochrome b variation in 14 captive individuals revealed a potentially greater amount of genetic variation represented in captivity relative to that found in the wild population. The extremely low levels of mitochondrial DNA variation in the wild population is discussed in light of the demographic processes that might have shaped these patterns as well as the potential bias introduced through analysis of fecal samples. These results highlight the continuing need to assess levels of genetic variation even in recovering populations that are increasing in number and underscore the important role that captive breeding programs may play in preserving remnant genetic diversity of endangered species.

mtDNA indicates profound population structure in Indian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

“…However, such ancient events might be substantially overarched by the much more recent population decline, leading to a loss of genetic diversity. Such a loss was previously reported in wild Amur tiger (P. tigris altaica) populations, where mtDNA variation was only found in captive specimens, but not in the wild (Russelo et al 2004). In our study, haplotype TIG* 9 was only found in white tiger specimens from Zoo Delhi representing the extinct population from Rewa (Central India).…”

“…This is lower than in a comparable study in more temperate regions (Russelo et al 2004;86.3%), possibly due to different climatic conditions which can influence DNA quality in scat samples (Nsubuga et al 2004).…”

“…Together with Luo et al (2004), 10 Indian tiger haplotypes are now known, which differ from one another by only a few mutations. This low diversity is typical also for other tiger subspecies (Luo et al 2004;Russelo et al 2004). Yet, our composite mitochondrial haplotypes are informative regarding geographic population structure.…”

Sequence variability analysis on major histocompatibility complex class II DRB alleles in three felines

“…In it, sequences were divided into two clades. Pati-DRB*1, Papa-DRB*1, Papa-DRB*2 and Papa-DRB*3 (Russello et al, 2004). In addition, researchers also found similar results in Cheetah and lion (Panthera leo) population (O'Brien et al, 1983;Packer et al, 1991).The varied levels of MHC genes on population were regard as the important factors of immune response to various pathogens and disease.…”

Effect of climate change on halophytic grasslands loss and its impact in the viability of Gopherus flavomarginatus

“…Therefore, its low dispersal ability (Ureña-Aranda et al 2015), low genetic variability (Ureña-Aranda and Espinosa de los Monteros 2012), and fragmentation and loss of grassland H. mutica are the main threats for the Bolson tortoise, because these factors favor isolation of the populations of this tortoise by intensifying the low genetic variability of the species. These conditions promote less resistance to extreme temperatures, drought events, change in food availability, emerging diseases, among other features, thus causing population extinction (Hoelzel et al 2002;Russello et al 2004;Zhang et al 2004).…”