Many carnivores require large ranges to meet their ecological and energetic needs;however,anthropogenic changes threaten species and their habitats.Camera traps have been used to effectively collect data on car&...Many carnivores require large ranges to meet their ecological and energetic needs;however,anthropogenic changes threaten species and their habitats.Camera traps have been used to effectively collect data on carnivores in a variety of habitat types;however,a single survey effort is typically limited to species that have similar body size,habitat use and movement patterns,and individual identification of animals is not always possible.We evaluated whether scat detection dogs could effectively survey for 4 wide-ranging felids that vary in these characteristics:jaguars(Panthera onca),pumas(Puma concolor),ocelots(Leopardus pardalis)and oncillas(Leopardus tigrinus).From June to October 2009 and May to August 2011,a detection dog-handler team detected 588 scats,from which 176 unique genotypes were detected.We assigned sex to 84.7%of the genotyped scats and identified 55 individuals multiple times.The effectiveness of these noninvasive techniques(detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat)not only opens the door for additional studies in areas that were previously difficult or impossible with standard survey techniques,but also provides conservationists with a set of tools that overcome some of the limitations associated with the use of camera traps alone.展开更多
Male tigers(Panthera tigris altaica) in captivity copulate alternatively with an estrous female,suggesting a potential for heteropaternity as an effective reproductive strategy to maximize genetic diversity of offspri...Male tigers(Panthera tigris altaica) in captivity copulate alternatively with an estrous female,suggesting a potential for heteropaternity as an effective reproductive strategy to maximize genetic diversity of offspring.We analyzed microsatellites to test and compare the genetic output of multiple male mating(simultaneous polyandry) and single male mating(monogamy) with a female in a captive population.Simultaneous polyandry resulted in heteropaternity in 66.7% observed litters.No significant differences between parental populations and between offspring populations were detected in the number of alleles(A),expected heterozygosity(H e),number of effective alleles(N e) per locus and standard individual heterozygosity(SH)(P>0.05 for all 4 indexes).Comparisons showed no significant reduction of A,H o,H e and SH from parental population to offspring population for the two mating modes(P>0.05) except for SH in polyandrous families(P=0.029).However,such reduction was equivalent to single mating families when the influence of relatedness was eliminated using effective SH(E SH)(P>0.05).These results highlight an alternative strategy for managing captive populations of tiger and other wild felids in which animals are combined at one location allowing for copulation by multiple males to encourage heteropaternity in favor of maintained genetic diversity among offspring.展开更多
<span style="line-height:1.5;">Up until the recent past, zoos served limited function, primarily existing for entertainment value. Today’s zoos, however, are serving many roles, chief among them: spec...<span style="line-height:1.5;">Up until the recent past, zoos served limited function, primarily existing for entertainment value. Today’s zoos, however, are serving many roles, chief among them: species conservation of captive animals. The biggest zoo in Brazil, S?o Paulo Zoological Park Foundation, has among its 2000 animals and many species of wild cats. The presence of domestic cats living freely in zoos </span><span style="line-height:1.5;">is</span><span style="line-height:1.5;"> common and can be a source of spreading disease. The aim of this study was to verify the variety and prevalence of parasites found in the feces of felids (feral and wild) living in the S<span style="white-space:nowrap;">?</span>o Paulo Zoo. The results of this parasitological analysis have been obtained from the laboratory of clinical analysis and correspond to the 4-year period beginning January/2009 and ending December/2012. Eight species of parasites were identified in the feces of captive wild cats and three in the feces of feral cats. For those captive</span><span style="line-height:1.5;">s</span><span "="" style="line-height:1.5;">, <i>Toxocara cati</i> (7.95%) had the highest prevalence, followed by <i>Toxascaris leonina</i> (7.58%), <i>Isospora</i> sp. (2.03%), <i>Hymenolepis nana</i> (0.92%), <i>Eimeria</i> sp., <i>Giardia</i> sp. and <i>Blastocystis</i> sp. (0.37% each) and <i>Ascaris</i> sp. (0.18%). Among the feral cats, we found <i>Toxocara cati</i> (59.26%), <i>Giardia</i> sp. (22.22%) and <i>Isospora</i> sp. (11.11%). For the captive group, we also distinguished natives from exotic species, finding native species to be more frequently parasitized than the exotic ones. Key to our findings, though, was the fact that a few parasite species were found among all groups of </span><span style="line-height:1.5;">f</span><span "="" style="line-height:1.5;">elids, specifically (<i>Toxocara cati</i>, <i>Giardia</i> sp. and <i>Isospora</i> sp). Further research is needed, however, to confirm that transmission of these parasites is occurring between and among these groups.</span>展开更多
Understanding population size and genetic diversity is critical for effective conservation of endangered species.The Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica)is the largest felid and a flagship species for wildlife conserva...Understanding population size and genetic diversity is critical for effective conservation of endangered species.The Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica)is the largest felid and a flagship species for wildlife conservation.Due to habitat loss and human activities,available habitat and population size are continuously shrinking.However,little is known about the true population size and genetic diversity of wild tiger populations in China.In this study,we collected 55 fecal samples and 1 hair sample to investigate the population size and genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers in Hunchun National Nature Reserve,Jilin Province,China.From the samples,we determined that 23 fecal samples and 1 hair sample were from 7 Amur tigers:2 males,4 females and 1 individual of unknown sex.Interestingly,2 fecal samples that were presumed to be from tigers were from Amur leopards,highlighting the significant advantages of noninvasive genetics over traditional methods in studying rare and elusive animals.Analyses from this sample suggested that the genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers is much lower than that of Bengal tigers,consistent with previous findings.Furthermore,the genetic diversity of this Hunchun population in China was lower than that of the adjoining subpopulation in southwest Primorye Russia,likely due to sampling bias.Considering the small population size and relatively low genetic diversity,it is urgent to protect this endangered local subpopulation in China.展开更多
文摘Many carnivores require large ranges to meet their ecological and energetic needs;however,anthropogenic changes threaten species and their habitats.Camera traps have been used to effectively collect data on carnivores in a variety of habitat types;however,a single survey effort is typically limited to species that have similar body size,habitat use and movement patterns,and individual identification of animals is not always possible.We evaluated whether scat detection dogs could effectively survey for 4 wide-ranging felids that vary in these characteristics:jaguars(Panthera onca),pumas(Puma concolor),ocelots(Leopardus pardalis)and oncillas(Leopardus tigrinus).From June to October 2009 and May to August 2011,a detection dog-handler team detected 588 scats,from which 176 unique genotypes were detected.We assigned sex to 84.7%of the genotyped scats and identified 55 individuals multiple times.The effectiveness of these noninvasive techniques(detection dogs and genetic analyses of scat)not only opens the door for additional studies in areas that were previously difficult or impossible with standard survey techniques,but also provides conservationists with a set of tools that overcome some of the limitations associated with the use of camera traps alone.
基金supported by the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-10-0280)Technological Development Project of Longyan City (2011LY017)
文摘Male tigers(Panthera tigris altaica) in captivity copulate alternatively with an estrous female,suggesting a potential for heteropaternity as an effective reproductive strategy to maximize genetic diversity of offspring.We analyzed microsatellites to test and compare the genetic output of multiple male mating(simultaneous polyandry) and single male mating(monogamy) with a female in a captive population.Simultaneous polyandry resulted in heteropaternity in 66.7% observed litters.No significant differences between parental populations and between offspring populations were detected in the number of alleles(A),expected heterozygosity(H e),number of effective alleles(N e) per locus and standard individual heterozygosity(SH)(P>0.05 for all 4 indexes).Comparisons showed no significant reduction of A,H o,H e and SH from parental population to offspring population for the two mating modes(P>0.05) except for SH in polyandrous families(P=0.029).However,such reduction was equivalent to single mating families when the influence of relatedness was eliminated using effective SH(E SH)(P>0.05).These results highlight an alternative strategy for managing captive populations of tiger and other wild felids in which animals are combined at one location allowing for copulation by multiple males to encourage heteropaternity in favor of maintained genetic diversity among offspring.
文摘<span style="line-height:1.5;">Up until the recent past, zoos served limited function, primarily existing for entertainment value. Today’s zoos, however, are serving many roles, chief among them: species conservation of captive animals. The biggest zoo in Brazil, S?o Paulo Zoological Park Foundation, has among its 2000 animals and many species of wild cats. The presence of domestic cats living freely in zoos </span><span style="line-height:1.5;">is</span><span style="line-height:1.5;"> common and can be a source of spreading disease. The aim of this study was to verify the variety and prevalence of parasites found in the feces of felids (feral and wild) living in the S<span style="white-space:nowrap;">?</span>o Paulo Zoo. The results of this parasitological analysis have been obtained from the laboratory of clinical analysis and correspond to the 4-year period beginning January/2009 and ending December/2012. Eight species of parasites were identified in the feces of captive wild cats and three in the feces of feral cats. For those captive</span><span style="line-height:1.5;">s</span><span "="" style="line-height:1.5;">, <i>Toxocara cati</i> (7.95%) had the highest prevalence, followed by <i>Toxascaris leonina</i> (7.58%), <i>Isospora</i> sp. (2.03%), <i>Hymenolepis nana</i> (0.92%), <i>Eimeria</i> sp., <i>Giardia</i> sp. and <i>Blastocystis</i> sp. (0.37% each) and <i>Ascaris</i> sp. (0.18%). Among the feral cats, we found <i>Toxocara cati</i> (59.26%), <i>Giardia</i> sp. (22.22%) and <i>Isospora</i> sp. (11.11%). For the captive group, we also distinguished natives from exotic species, finding native species to be more frequently parasitized than the exotic ones. Key to our findings, though, was the fact that a few parasite species were found among all groups of </span><span style="line-height:1.5;">f</span><span "="" style="line-height:1.5;">elids, specifically (<i>Toxocara cati</i>, <i>Giardia</i> sp. and <i>Isospora</i> sp). Further research is needed, however, to confirm that transmission of these parasites is occurring between and among these groups.</span>
文摘Understanding population size and genetic diversity is critical for effective conservation of endangered species.The Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica)is the largest felid and a flagship species for wildlife conservation.Due to habitat loss and human activities,available habitat and population size are continuously shrinking.However,little is known about the true population size and genetic diversity of wild tiger populations in China.In this study,we collected 55 fecal samples and 1 hair sample to investigate the population size and genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers in Hunchun National Nature Reserve,Jilin Province,China.From the samples,we determined that 23 fecal samples and 1 hair sample were from 7 Amur tigers:2 males,4 females and 1 individual of unknown sex.Interestingly,2 fecal samples that were presumed to be from tigers were from Amur leopards,highlighting the significant advantages of noninvasive genetics over traditional methods in studying rare and elusive animals.Analyses from this sample suggested that the genetic diversity of wild Amur tigers is much lower than that of Bengal tigers,consistent with previous findings.Furthermore,the genetic diversity of this Hunchun population in China was lower than that of the adjoining subpopulation in southwest Primorye Russia,likely due to sampling bias.Considering the small population size and relatively low genetic diversity,it is urgent to protect this endangered local subpopulation in China.
