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Population‐level assessment of genetic diversity and habitat fragmentation in critically endangered G rauer's gorillas
Author(s) -
Baas Pauline,
van der Valk Tom,
Vigilant Linda,
Ngobobo Urbain,
Binyinyi Escobar,
Nishuli Radar,
Caillaud Damien,
Guschanski Katerina
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.23393
Subject(s) - gorilla , genetic diversity , population , endangered species , ecology , biology , evolutionary biology , critically endangered , habitat fragmentation , lemur , range (aeronautics) , biodiversity , habitat , demography , primate , paleontology , materials science , sociology , composite material
Objectives The critically endangered Grauer's gorilla ( Gorilla beringei graueri ) has experienced an estimated 77% population decline within a single generation. Although crucial for informed conservation decisions, there is no clear understanding about population structure and distribution of genetic diversity across the species' highly fragmented range. We fill this gap by studying several core and peripheral Grauer's gorilla populations throughout their distribution range. Materials and Methods We generated genetic profiles for a sampling of an unstudied population of Grauer's gorillas from within the species' core range at 13 autosomal microsatellite loci and combined them with previously published and newly generated data from four other Grauer's gorilla populations, two mountain gorilla populations, and one western lowland gorilla population. Results In agreement with previous studies, the genetic diversity of Grauer's gorillas is intermediate, falling between western lowland and mountain gorillas. Among Grauer's gorilla populations, we observe lower genetic diversity and high differentiation in peripheral compared with central populations, indicating a strong effect of genetic drift and limited gene flow among small, isolated forest fragments. Discussion Although genetically less diverse, peripheral populations are frequently essential for the long‐term persistence of a species and migration between peripheral and core populations may significantly enrich the overall species genetic diversity. Thus, in addition to central Grauer's gorilla populations from the core of the distribution range that clearly deserve conservation attention, we argue that conservation strategies aiming to ensure long‐term species viability should include preserving peripheral populations and enhancing habitat connectivity.