Genetic analyses reveal demographic decline and population differentiation in an endangered social carnivore, Asiatic wild dog.

ABSTRACT: Deforestation and agricultural intensification have resulted in an alarming change in the global land cover over the past 300 years, posing a threat to species conservation. Dhole is a monophyletic, social canid and, being an endangered and highly forest-dependent species, is more prone to the loss of favorable habitat in the Anthropocene. We determined the genetic differentiation and demographic history of dhole across the tiger reserves of Maharashtra using the microsatellite data of 305 individuals. Simulation-based analyses revealed a 77-85% decline in the major dhole sub-populations. Protected areas have provided refuge to the historically declining dhole population resulting in clustering with strong genetic structure in the remnant dhole population. The historical population decline

SUBMITTER: Modi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8361113 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature