Non-invasive conservation genetics of the critically endangered golden-crowned sifaka (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Propithecus tattersalli</Emphasis>): high diversity and significant genetic differentiation over a small range |
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Authors: | Erwan Quéméré Jr" target="_blank">Edward E LouisJr Alexandre Ribéron Lounès Chikhi Brigitte Crouau-Roy |
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Institution: | 1.UMR5174 CNRS/UPS EDB, ?Evolution et Diversité Biologique?, Batiment 4R3 b2,Université Paul Sabatier,Toulouse cedex 9,France;2.Center for Conservation and Research,Henry Doorly Zoo,Omaha,USA;3.Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência,Oeiras,Portugal |
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Abstract: | The genetic structure of the golden-crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) was evaluated in three forest types in the Daraina region between the Loky and Manambato Rivers in northeastern Madagascar.
This critically endangered lemur species, only found within this restricted region (~1,300 km2), comprises populations which survive in forest fragments of varying size. While this remote region is already affected by
human deforestation, the scheduled paving of the national road can potentially bring significant changes in the near future.
In 2006, sifakas feces from 82 putative individuals were collected immediately after defecation. DNA samples were genotyped
at 13 microsatellite loci to characterize patterns of genetic diversity within and among three sets of forest fragments representing
different ecological types. The recent 2CTAB/PCI extraction method and the ‘comparative’ genotype validation approach allowed
us to significantly improve the efficiency of amplification procedures. We found that golden-crowned sifaka genetic diversity
was surprisingly high despite its narrow distribution and the current level of habitat fragmentation. We used both spatial
and non-spatial Bayesian clustering methods to determine if forest edges correlated with cryptic genetic clusters and found
that it was overall the case. However, the results also indicate that migrations are possible between two of the three studied
forest complexes despite the presence of the national road. This is probably due to remaining riparian and small forest patches
between these two forest complexes. The third forest complex is more differentiated although some migrations/connections may
still exist through non-sampled fragments. This strongly suggests that it is necessary to maintain corridors and small patches,
and also to explore the genetic diversity of the fragments outside the protected area. |
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