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Genetic diversity of captive binturongs ( Arctictis binturong , Viverridae, Carnivora): implications for conservation
Author(s) -
Cosson L.,
Grassman L. L.,
Zubaid A.,
Vellayan S.,
Tillier A.,
Veron G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00209.x
Subject(s) - biology , genetic diversity , threatened species , carnivore , clade , captive breeding , mtdna control region , zoology , population , geographical distance , conservation genetics , mitochondrial dna , ecology , evolutionary biology , endangered species , phylogenetics , microsatellite , demography , habitat , genetics , sociology , gene , genotype , haplotype , predation , allele
The binturong Arctictis binturong is a threatened carnivore (Mammalia) that ranges throughout the forests of South‐east Asia. This study evaluates the genetic diversity of captive binturong populations in European zoos and attempts to assess their geographic origin. We sequenced the hypervariable region 1 of the mitochondrial control region of 56 binturongs, among which 20 had a known geographic origin. We showed that at least two distinct geographic clades exist and were able to assess the geographic clade to which captive individuals belong. Moreover, a low genetic diversity was observed among the captive population of European zoos. Although our results are preliminary, zoo managers should consider the evolutionary significant units identified by this study, and which correspond to recognized sub‐species, when planning binturong reproduction programs.