Genetic analyses reveal population structure and recent decline in leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) across the Indian subcontinent.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Large carnivores maintain the stability and functioning of ecosystems. Currently, many carnivore species face declining population sizes due to natural and anthropogenic pressures. The leopard, Panthera pardus, is probably the most widely distributed and highly adaptable large felid globally, still persisting in most of its historic range. However, we lack subspecies-level data on country or regional scale on population trends, as ecological monitoring approaches are difficult to apply on such wide-ranging species. We used genetic data from leopards sampled across the Indian subcontinent to investigate population structure and patterns of demographic decline.

Methods

We collected faecal samples from the Terai-Arc landscape of northern India and identified 5

SUBMITTER: Bhatt S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7006512 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature