Northward Range Expansion of Water Deer in Northeast Asia: Direct Evidence and Management Implications.

ABSTRACT: Given current anthropogenic pressures and climate change, wildlife range expansion offers a second chance for species conservation. The water deer Hydropotes inermis is a native to China and the Korean peninsula, but populations in North Korea and mainland China have declined drastically in recent years. However, the range of this species appears to be rapidly expanding northward. In this study, we employed camera traps and molecular technology to assess the status, phylogeny, and genetic ancestry of the newly recorded population. Our results showed an ongoing northward expansion of water deer, reaching at least 500 km from their historical distribution limit. We provided updated information on this species' geographical distribution in Northeast China and the Russian Far East. Base

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9179514 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature