A family net of giant pandas in the Tangjiahe Natural Reserve: Assessment of current individual migration
2005
Qiuhong, Wan | Shengguo, Fang | Jianguo, Li | Liming, Zhang | Weifu, Ou | Fanghai, Xian | Wanli, Chen
In the present study, formalin-fixed feces, oligonucleotide fingerprinting and SRY-gene based sexing were used to construct a family net for giant pandas in the Tangjiahe Natural Reserve and to assess contemporary gene flow (migration) in this population. A total of 124 fecal samples were attributed to 37 individuals (22 females and 15 males) that were then analyzed for family relationships. Based on DNA fingerprints, the deduced family net revealed the following facts: (i) First-order relatives possessed similarities from 50% to 90%, and similarities between unrelated individuals or distant relatives were as high as 77%, indicating that the Tangjiahe pandas are characterized by high genetic similarity; (ii) 15 matings were identified and 5 ones occurred between close relatives, implying that there is potential for inbreeding to impact the pandas; (iii) four mating pairs and 5 offspring presented long distance migrations, demonstrating the intra-reserve habitat is continuous; (iv) four pairs of full sibs (also female-male dyads) dispersed short distance and all of them gave birth to highly inbred offspring, reflecting long distance migration is vital for inbreeding avoidance; (v) 17 adult individuals dispersed short or moderate distance and formed three clusters on the landscape, indicating that it is necessary to find out whether there is a negative factor impacting the pandas.
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