Molecular genetic insights on cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) ecology and conservation in Namibia.

ABSTRACT: The extent and geographic patterns of molecular genetic diversity of the largest remaining free-ranging cheetah population were described in a survey of 313 individuals from throughout Namibia. Levels of relatedness, including paternity/maternity (parentage), were assessed across all individuals using 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci, and unrelated cheetahs (n = 89) from 7 regions were genotyped at 38 loci to document broad geographical patterns. There was limited differentiation among regions, evidence that this is a generally panmictic population. Measures of genetic variation were similar among all regions and were comparable with Eastern African cheetah populations. Parentage analyses confirmed several observations based on field studies, including 21 of 23 previously hypothesized fa

SUBMITTER: Marker LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7109834 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature