Genetic divergence and evidence of human-mediated translocation of two-fingered sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) in Costa Rica.

ABSTRACT: Sloths are notoriously slow and consequently have limited dispersal ability, which makes them particularly vulnerable to the effects of habitat fragmentation and degradation. Sloths in Costa Rica are considered of conservation concern due to habitat loss, livestock production and increasing urbanization. Reintroductions from rescue centres are commonplace across the country, yet their genetic diversity and population structure are unknown, and there is currently little consideration of the genetic background prior to intervention or releases. We used microsatellite analysis to undertake the first exploratory investigation into sloth population genetics in Costa Rica. Using data from 98 two-fingered sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) from four different geographic regions, we determined th

SUBMITTER: Cliffe RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7513709 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature