A herd of 15 Chinese elephants attracted international attention during their 2021 northward trek,motivating the government to propose establishment of an Asian elephant national park.However,planning is hampered by a...A herd of 15 Chinese elephants attracted international attention during their 2021 northward trek,motivating the government to propose establishment of an Asian elephant national park.However,planning is hampered by a lack of genetic information on the remaining populations in China.We collected DNA from 497 dung samples from all 5 populations encompassing the entire range of elephants in China and used mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to investigate their genetic and demographic structure.We identified 237 unique genotypes(153 females,84 males),representing 81%of the known population.However,the effective population size was small(28,range 25–32).Historic demographic contraction appeared to account for low haplotype diversity(Hd=0.235),but mod-erate nucleotide and nuclear diversity(π=0.6%,He=0.55)was attributable to post-bottleneck recovery involving recent population expansion plus historical gene exchange with elephants in Myanmar,Lao PDR,and Vietnam.The 5 populations fell into 3 clusters,with Nangunhe elephants differing consistently from the other 4 populations(FST=0.23);elephants from Mengyang,Simao,and Jiangcheng belonged to a single population(henceforth,MSJ),and differed from the Shangyong population(FST=0.11).Interpopulation genetic variation reflected isola-tion by distance and female-biased dispersal.Chinese elephants should be managed as 2 distinct units:Nangunhe and another combining Shangyong and MSJ;their long-term viability will require restoring geneflow between Shangyong and MSJ,and between elephants in China and neighboring countries.Our results have the potential to inform conservation planning for an iconic megafaunal species.展开更多
Human-wildlife conflict(HWC)negatively impacts both humans and wildlife.Attitudes of local residents have been critical in promoting wildlife conservation.It is therefore necessary to understand the characteristics of...Human-wildlife conflict(HWC)negatively impacts both humans and wildlife.Attitudes of local residents have been critical in promoting wildlife conservation.It is therefore necessary to understand the characteristics of HWC and identify influential factors on attitudes towards conservation to implement conservation strategies efficiently.This research focused on features of human-elephant interactions,while attitudes and values regarding the small population of Asian elephants(Elephas maximus)in Nangunhe National Nature Reserve(NNR),Yunnan,China.The total of 327 valid questionnaires were gathered around the area where Asian elephants were distributed.Logistic regression models were employed to analyze the correlations among five predictor variables(‘Area’,‘Family size’,‘Annual income’,‘Quantity of family members in non-primary industries’and‘Experiencing loss or not’)and three response variables(‘Attitude towards elephants’,‘Perception of the values of elephants’and‘Attitude towards tourism development’).The study area was densely forested with tea plants,rubber trees,corns and sugarcane.There,25.99%of respondents reported the experience of human-elephant conflict(HEC),with crop raiding and cash crop damages being the major conflict types.To demonstrate respect for elephants and to mitigate HEC,a unique custom called‘Giving tribute to elephants’was developed long ago.Respondents’township with an official annual festival of‘Giving Tribute to Elephants’(odds ratio(OR)=2.75,P=1.73×10^(-6))and higher annual income(OR=2.09,P=5.45×10^(-5))significantly contributed to forming a more positive attitude towards elephants,whereas HEC itself have contributed to a more negative attitude(OR=0.50,P=3.29×10^(-3)).Therefore,we propose that:1)reducing human-elephant conflict by testing multiple mitigation measures and adopting the most effective one of them;2)enhancing local livelihoods through the development of ecological products and ecotourism;and 3)preserving and developing the Wa culture in this region.The study area deserves more attention and further research to explore and obtain endorsement from the public to achieve coexistence between human and wildlife.展开更多
基金funded by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China,through the“Second National Survey of Terrestrial Wildlife project”(Grant No.20080131).
文摘A herd of 15 Chinese elephants attracted international attention during their 2021 northward trek,motivating the government to propose establishment of an Asian elephant national park.However,planning is hampered by a lack of genetic information on the remaining populations in China.We collected DNA from 497 dung samples from all 5 populations encompassing the entire range of elephants in China and used mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to investigate their genetic and demographic structure.We identified 237 unique genotypes(153 females,84 males),representing 81%of the known population.However,the effective population size was small(28,range 25–32).Historic demographic contraction appeared to account for low haplotype diversity(Hd=0.235),but mod-erate nucleotide and nuclear diversity(π=0.6%,He=0.55)was attributable to post-bottleneck recovery involving recent population expansion plus historical gene exchange with elephants in Myanmar,Lao PDR,and Vietnam.The 5 populations fell into 3 clusters,with Nangunhe elephants differing consistently from the other 4 populations(FST=0.23);elephants from Mengyang,Simao,and Jiangcheng belonged to a single population(henceforth,MSJ),and differed from the Shangyong population(FST=0.11).Interpopulation genetic variation reflected isola-tion by distance and female-biased dispersal.Chinese elephants should be managed as 2 distinct units:Nangunhe and another combining Shangyong and MSJ;their long-term viability will require restoring geneflow between Shangyong and MSJ,and between elephants in China and neighboring countries.Our results have the potential to inform conservation planning for an iconic megafaunal species.
基金Under the auspices of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration,Habitat Assessment and Piloted Maintenance for Asian Elephant (No.NGH-BFU-20180201)。
文摘Human-wildlife conflict(HWC)negatively impacts both humans and wildlife.Attitudes of local residents have been critical in promoting wildlife conservation.It is therefore necessary to understand the characteristics of HWC and identify influential factors on attitudes towards conservation to implement conservation strategies efficiently.This research focused on features of human-elephant interactions,while attitudes and values regarding the small population of Asian elephants(Elephas maximus)in Nangunhe National Nature Reserve(NNR),Yunnan,China.The total of 327 valid questionnaires were gathered around the area where Asian elephants were distributed.Logistic regression models were employed to analyze the correlations among five predictor variables(‘Area’,‘Family size’,‘Annual income’,‘Quantity of family members in non-primary industries’and‘Experiencing loss or not’)and three response variables(‘Attitude towards elephants’,‘Perception of the values of elephants’and‘Attitude towards tourism development’).The study area was densely forested with tea plants,rubber trees,corns and sugarcane.There,25.99%of respondents reported the experience of human-elephant conflict(HEC),with crop raiding and cash crop damages being the major conflict types.To demonstrate respect for elephants and to mitigate HEC,a unique custom called‘Giving tribute to elephants’was developed long ago.Respondents’township with an official annual festival of‘Giving Tribute to Elephants’(odds ratio(OR)=2.75,P=1.73×10^(-6))and higher annual income(OR=2.09,P=5.45×10^(-5))significantly contributed to forming a more positive attitude towards elephants,whereas HEC itself have contributed to a more negative attitude(OR=0.50,P=3.29×10^(-3)).Therefore,we propose that:1)reducing human-elephant conflict by testing multiple mitigation measures and adopting the most effective one of them;2)enhancing local livelihoods through the development of ecological products and ecotourism;and 3)preserving and developing the Wa culture in this region.The study area deserves more attention and further research to explore and obtain endorsement from the public to achieve coexistence between human and wildlife.
