Autosomal and mtDNA Markers Affirm the Distinctiveness of Lions in West and Central Africa.

ABSTRACT: The evolutionary history of a species is key for understanding the taxonomy and for the design of effective management strategies for species conservation. The knowledge about the phylogenetic position of the lion (Panthera leo) in West/Central Africa is largely based on mitochondrial markers. Previous studies using mtDNA only have shown this region to hold a distinct evolutionary lineage. In addition, anthropogenic factors have led to a strong decline in West/Central African lion numbers, thus, the conservation value of these populations is particularly high. Here, we investigate whether autosomal markers are concordant with previously described phylogeographic patterns, and confirm the unique position of the West/Central African lion. Analysis of 20 microsatellites and 1,454 bp of the mi

SUBMITTER: Bertola LD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4605676 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature