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Genetic structure and patterns of gene flow among populations of the endangered E thiopian wolf
Author(s) -
Gottelli D.,
SilleroZubiri C.,
Marino J.,
Funk S. M.,
Wang J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
animal conservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.111
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1469-1795
pISSN - 1367-9430
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00591.x
Subject(s) - endangered species , gene flow , population , habitat fragmentation , ecology , small population size , population fragmentation , habitat , genetic diversity , habitat destruction , conservation genetics , biology , effective population size , population size , geography , genetic monitoring , fragmentation (computing) , microsatellite , demography , genetics , gene , allele , sociology
Populations of endangered mammals are often small, fragmented and have low genetic variability that can reduce the ability to evolve in response to environmental changes. The endangered E thiopian wolf ( C anis simensis ) is a habitat specialist restricted to six small, isolated pockets of A froalpine habitat, with a total population of fewer than 500 adult animals. The degradation of the E thiopian highlands because of human expansion is ever increasing, potentially leading to further population fragmentation and local extinctions. In order to assist Ethiopian wolf conservation management, we quantified the genetic diversity, population structure and patterns of gene flow of the species using up to 14 microsatellite loci. F ST , analysis of molecular variance, principal coordinates analysis and B ayesian clustering analyses revealed geographic population structuring delimited by three mountain ranges, in concert with a previous study based on mitochondrial DNA . B ayesian analysis showed that current gene flow is low, unidirectional and limited to geographically proximate populations. Given the small census size and strong population structuring with low gene flow, demographic stochasticity is likely to be the highest threat to the long‐term persistence of this species. The protection of the remaining suitable habitat, especially narrow ridges linking habitat patches within mountain blocks, is therefore essential. The genetic survey presented by this study provides vital and much needed information for the future effective management of E thiopian wolf populations.