Evidence of population genetic structure in Ecuadorian Andean bears.

Autor: Cueva DF; Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Diego de Robles y Via Interoceanica s/n, Quito, 170157, Ecuador., Zug R; Laboratorio de Carnívoros, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceanica s/n, Quito, 170157, Ecuador., Pozo MJ; Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Diego de Robles y Via Interoceanica s/n, Quito, 170157, Ecuador., Molina S; Laboratorio de Carnívoros, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceanica s/n, Quito, 170157, Ecuador.; Fundación Zoológica del Ecuador, Pircapamaba s/n y Rumichupa, Guayllabamba, Quito, Ecuador., Cisneros R; Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, C/París s/n., 1101608, Loja, Ecuador., Bustamante MR; Fundación Zoológica del Ecuador, Pircapamaba s/n y Rumichupa, Guayllabamba, Quito, Ecuador., Torres ML; Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Diego de Robles y Via Interoceanica s/n, Quito, 170157, Ecuador. ltorres@usfq.edu.ec.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Scientific reports [Sci Rep] 2024 Feb 03; Vol. 14 (1), pp. 2834. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Feb 03.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53003-5
Abstrakt: Wildlife conservation in Andean countries is a global priority because of the high levels of biodiversity and endemism. Historically, these countries have had limited resources to monitor wildlife (e.g., through genetic tools) and establish conservation programs. Focusing on the study and emblematic use of a few charismatic species has been a strategic approach to direct efforts for conservation and development planning. Consequently, the Andean bear is a flagship and umbrella species for highly biodiverse Andean countries like Ecuador. The few studies exploring the population genetics of this species have concluded that it has low genetic diversity and few units for conservation as populations appear to be well connected. However, these results might be attributed to ascertainment bias as studies have been performed with heterologous molecular markers. Here, using both mtDNA sequences and species-specific microsatellite markers, we show that Andean bears in Ecuador have population structure. Additionally, we found through the study of three Ecuadorian populations that the species might have a higher genetic diversity than we previously thought. These results could support the revision of research priorities, conservation, and planning strategies to improve connectivity for this species which occurs in crucial biodiversity hotspots.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
Externí odkaz:
Nepřihlášeným uživatelům se plný text nezobrazuje