scholarly journals USO Y CONOCIMIENTO DE LA MASTOFAUNA EN EL EJIDO SAN DIONISIO, MUNICIPIO DE PETO, YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
José Adrián Cimé-Pool ◽  
Yariely del Rocío Balam-Ballote ◽  
Silvia Filomena Hernández-Betancourt ◽  
Juan Manuel Pech-Canché ◽  
Ermilo Humberto López-Cobá ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Eira Barbara ◽  
Tamandua Mexicana

ResumenDe julio a noviembre de 2016, se documentaron los usos y conocimientos de la mastofauna en el Ejido San Dionisio, Peto, Yucatán, México. Se utilizaron técnicas de investigación social, como cuestionarios, entrevistas y se realizaron talleres de diagnósticos participativos, además de la recopilación de usos ceremoniales, en cuentos y leyendas. También se llevaron a cabo recorridos aplicando métodos directos (captura, avistamientos) e indirectos (rastros). En total 27 especies de mamíferos pertenecientes a 19 familias y ocho órdenes fueron registradas. Ocho especies fueron verificadas únicamente a través de técnicas participativas. Se observó el uso de mamíferos silvestres en ritos y ceremonias, pero el uso más importante fue el consumo de la carne de especies como venado cola blanca y pecarí de collar. Por otra parte, desde la perspectiva de los pobladores a través del tiempo, se observó la disminución de las poblaciones naturales de mamíferos silvestres. La presencia de especies como Tamandua mexicana, Mimon cozumelae, Coendou mexicanus, Leopardus wiedii y Eira barbara, con requerimientos específicos de hábitat y alimento, probablemente reflejan las condiciones favorables de la selva que todavía se encuentra en el ejido. La cacería ilegal, sequías, crecimiento de la población, incendios y la deforestación son factores que amenazan a la mastofauna local. Como estrategia de conservación de la vida silvestre se propuso la ejecución de Unidades de Manejo para la Conservación de la Vida Silvestre (UMAS'S) y Áreas Destinadas Voluntariamente a la Conservación (ADVC).Palabras clave: estrategia de conservación comunitaria, ordenamiento territorial comunitario, selva mediana subcaducifolia, uso de fauna silvestre.AbstractThe usage and knowledge of the mammals at Ejido San Dionisio, Peto, Yucatan, Mexico were documented from July to November 2016. Social research techniques were used, include questionnaires, interviews, and participatory diagnostic workshops, in addition to the collection of ceremonial uses, in stories and legends. Fieldwork was carried out applying direct (capture, sightings) and indirect methods (tracks). In total, 27 species of mammals from 19 families and eight orders were registered. Eight species were verified only through participatory techniques. The use of wild mammals in rites and ceremonies was observed, but the most important use was the consumption of meat from species such as white-tailed deer and collared peccary. On the other hand, from the perspective of the inhabitants over time, the decrease in the natural populations of wild mammals is observed. The presence of species such as Tamandua mexicana, Mimon cozumelae, Coendou mexicanus, Leopardus wiedii and Eira barbara with specific habitat and food requirements, probably reflect the favorable conditions of the jungle that still occurs in the ejido. Illegal hunting, droughts, population growth, fires, and deforestation are factors that threaten the local mammal fauna. As a wildlife conservation strategy, the implementation of Wildlife Conservation Management Units (WCMU'S) and Voluntarily Designated Areas for Conservation (VDAC) is proposed.Key words: community conservation strategy, community land planning, medium sub-deciduous forest, use of wild fauna.

scholarly journals Mastofauna del ejido X-Can, Chemax, Yucatán, México

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Yariely del Rocío Balam-Ballote ◽  
José Adrián Cimé-Pool ◽  
Silvia Filomena Hernández-Betancourt ◽  
Juan Manuel Pech-Canché ◽  
Juan Carlos Sarmiento-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Direct Methods ◽  
Panthera Onca ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Forest Use ◽  
Eira Barbara ◽  
The One

RESUMENEl conocimiento de la fauna silvestre presente en un sitio determinado es importante para implementar estrategias de conservación de la diversidad biológica. El objetivo de este trabajo fue elaborar una lista de los mamíferos silvestres colectados y registrados en el ejido X-can, municipio de Chemax, Yucatán, México. Para este estudio se utilizaron técnicas etnozoológicas tales como entrevistas y talleres de diagnóstico participativo. También se realizaron recorridos en diversos puntos del ejido para el registro de especies a través de métodos directos (avistamientos, trampas Tomahawk, Sherman, redes) e indirectos (huellas, excretas, madrigueras). En total se registraron 31 especies, 20 familias y siete órdenes. Los órdenes más diversos fueron Chiroptera y Rodentia con nueve especies cada uno, seguido por Carnivora con siete. Las especies Coendou mexicanus, Dasyprocta punctata, Cuniculus paca, Panthera onca, Herpailurus yagouaroundi, Eira barbara, Mustela frenata y Dicotyles crassus se registraron únicamente por técnicas sociales. Durante el estudio se identificaron cinco usos tales como alimento, medicinal, mascota, artesanal y ceremonial; en este último especies, como el venado cola blanca, el pecarí de collar y el tepezcuintleson usadas en la ceremonia denominada Ch’a’acháak. La especie Odocoileus virginianus fue la que presentó mayor número de usos (4). El ejido X-can posee fragmentos de selva mediana subcaducifolia con especies de mamíferos prioritarios para la conservación. Actividades como el ecoturismo integral podrían garantizar a mediano y largo plazo la conservación de la biodiversidad presente, así mismo, es indispensable difundir la importancia ecológica y económica de los mamíferos entre los pobladores.Palabras clave: Conservación, inventarios, selva mediana subcaducifolia, uso de mamíferos, Yucatán.ABSTRACTThe wildlife knowledge present in a given site is important to implement strategies for the conservation of biological diversity. The objective of this work was to make a list of the wild mammals collected and registered in the ejido X-Can, municipality of Chemax, Yucatán, México. For this study, ethnozoological techniques such as interviews and participatory diagnostic workshops were used. Trail tours were also carried out in various points of the ejido for the registration of species through direct methods (sightings, Tomahawk, Sherman traps, nets) and indirect (footprints, excreta, burrows). 31 species, 20 families and seven orders were recorded. The most diverse orders were Chiroptera and Rodentia with nine species each, followed by Carnivora with seven species. The species Coendou mexicanus, Dasyprocta punctata, Cuniculus paca, Panthera onca, Herpailurus yagouaroundi, Eira barbara, Mustela frenata and Dicotyles crassus were only registered by social techniques. During the study, five types of uses were identified such as food, medicinal, pet, artisanal and ceremonial use; in the latter, species such as the white-tailed deer, the collared peccary and the tepezcuintle are used in the ceremony called Ch’a’acháak. The species Odocoileus virginianus was the one with the highest number of uses (4). The ejido X-can has fragments of medium-deciduous forest with priority mammal species for conservation. Activities such as integral ecotourism could guarantee the conservation of the present biodiversity in the medium and long term. Likewise, it is essential to disseminate the ecological and economic importance of mammals among the inhabitants.Key words: Conservation, inventories, medium subdeciduous forest, use of mammals, Yucatan.

scholarly journals The Pattern of Cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia and the Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia Programme in Dealing with the Illegal Transnational Trade of Pangolins in Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
pp. 01022
Author(s):  
Afifah Rahmi Andini ◽  
Hartuti Purnaweni
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Complementary Pattern ◽  
State Actor ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Wildlife Conservation Society ◽  
Transnational Trade

Indonesia is home to one of the world’s pangolins species whose status is protected internationally in the Appendix 1 Category of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). This means that pangolins are categorized vulnerable to extinction and are prohibited to be freely traded. However, since 1990, the number of pangolin populations in Indonesia has declined because of the threat of environmental degradation, illegal hunting and illegal trade. In responding the threat of pangolin extinction in Indonesia, the Indonesian government formed a collaborative initiative with International Non-Government Organizations working on wildlife conservation. This study aims to analyze the pattern of cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) with the Wildlife Conservation Society-Indonesia Programme (WCS-IP) in dealing with the illegal transnational trade of pangolins. This study used an analysis of interaction patterns of supplementary, complementary, and adversary in a state-non-state actor cooperation approach. The findings in this study showed that cooperation established based on supplementary patterns is carried out by providing capacity building assistance of law enforcement officers from WCS-IP to KLHK. The complementary pattern was by giving mandate to carry out the program from KLHK to WCS-IP, and the adversary pattern was by providing support as well as input by WCS-IP on government regulations and policies. Based on the analysis of the all of the patterns, the cooperation established is more dominated by using supplementary and complementary patterns because of the compatibility of the vision and mission, the intensity of coordination and trust of both parties.

The relevance of captive breeding to conservation of native ratites in Argentina: an overview

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 1302 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Navarro ◽  
M. B. Martella
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Rhea Americana ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Greater Rhea ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Lesser Rhea

The two South American ratites (Lesser Rhea, Pterocnemia pennata and Greater Rhea, Rhea americana) are categorised as ‘Near Threatened’ in the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and are included in Appendices 1 and II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The wild populations of rheas are affected by human activities, such as illegal hunting and egg harvesting, and conversion of natural habitats into croplands. On the other hand, commercial farming of rheas has been expanding in the last two decades. Studies on farms have led to improved production, not only for commercialisation, but also for the release of individuals to the wild. Effectiveness of this latter strategy was confirmed by fieldwork and radio-telemetry. Molecular studies revealed that genetic variability of captive populations of Greater Rhea were similar to those of wild ones, and they do not show signs of inbreeding depression or differences in allele frequencies. Consequently, as natural populations of rheas continue to decline, farms will arguably serve as genetic reservoirs and provide a source of individuals for repopulation. Therefore captive breeding should be regarded as having high value as a conservation tool for native ratites.

Genetic characterization of novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for Epilobium nankotaizanense (Onagraceae), an endemic and threatened herb in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Yu-Wei Tseng ◽  
Chi-Chun Huang ◽  
Chih-Chiang Wang ◽  
Chiuan-Yu Li ◽  
Kuo-Hsiang Hung
Keyword(s):  
Microsatellite Markers ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Germplasm Collections ◽  
The Family ◽  
Conservation Genetic ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Polymorphic Microsatellite

Abstract Epilobium belongs to the family Onagraceae, which consists of approximately 200 species distributed worldwide, and some species have been used as medicinal plants. Epilobium nankotaizanense is an endemic and endangered herb that grows in the high mountains in Taiwan at an elevation of more than 3300 m. Alpine herbs are severely threatened by climate change, which leads to a reduction in their habitats and population sizes. However, only a few studies have addressed genetic diversity and population genetics. In the present study, we developed a new set of microsatellite markers for E. nankotaizanense using high-throughput genome sequencing data. Twenty polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed and tested on 30 individuals collected from three natural populations. These loci were successfully amplified, and polymorphisms were observed in E. nankotaizanense. The number of alleles per locus (A) ranged from 2.000 to 3.000, and the observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosities ranged from 0.000 to 0.929 and from 0.034 to 0.631, respectively. The developed polymorphic microsatellite markers will be useful in future conservation genetic studies of E. nankotaizanense as well as for developing an effective conservation strategy for this species and facilitating germplasm collections and sustainable utilization of other Epilobium species.

scholarly journals Trophy Hunting, Conservation, and Rural Development in Zimbabwe: Issues, Options, and Implications

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor K. Muposhi ◽  
Edson Gandiwa ◽  
Paul Bartels ◽  
Stanley M. Makuza
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Development ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Fiscal Constraints ◽  
Trophy Hunting ◽  
Wildlife Use ◽  
Emerging Issues

Trophy hunting has potential to support conservation financing and contribute towards rural development. We conducted a systematic review of the Zimbabwean trophy hunting perspective spanning from pre-1890 to 2015, by examining the following: (1) evolution of legal instruments, administration, and governance of trophy hunting, (2) significance of trophy hunting in conservation financing and rural development, and (3) key challenges, emerging issues in trophy hunting industry, and future interventions. Our review shows that (i) there has been a constant evolution in the policies related to trophy hunting and conservation in Zimbabwe as driven by local and international needs; (ii) trophy hunting providing incentives for wildlife conservation (e.g., law enforcement and habitat protection) and rural communities’ development. Emerging issues that may affect trophy hunting include illegal hunting, inadequate monitoring systems, and hunting bans. We conclude that trophy hunting is still relevant in wildlife conservation and rural communities’ development especially in developing economies where conservation financing is inadequate due to fiscal constraints. We recommend the promotion of net conservation benefits for positive conservation efforts and use of wildlife conservation credits for the opportunity costs associated with reducing trophy hunting off-take levels and promoting nonconsumptive wildlife use options.

scholarly journals LOS MAMIFEROS DE MICHOACÁN

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiberio C. Monterrubio-Rico ◽  
Juan Felipe Charre Medellín ◽  
Cristina Z. Colín-Soto ◽  
Livia León Paniagua
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
The State ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Current Estimate ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Potos Flavus ◽  
Tamandua Mexicana

 RESUMEN Los mamíferos silvestres han sido estudiados en Michoacán desde el siglo XVIII por renombrados zoólogos y naturalistas. Sin embargo, todavía en 1949 se reconocía solo 85 especies, y hasta el año 2005 se proporcionó estimaciones completas basadas en integración de registros disponibles tanto nacionales como de colecciones científicas internacionales, ya que la información disponible para el estado se encontraba dispersa. Como resultado de proyectos recientes con nuevos registros, el objetivo de este análisis es proporcionar una cifra actualizada sobre la riqueza taxonómica de los mamíferos silvestres terrestres en el estado de Michoacán. Existen registros de 161 especies en 9 Ordenes, 25 familias, y 94 géneros que representan el 32% de las especies de México. El Orden con mayor número de especies es Chiroptera con 74 especies que representan el 53% de las especies del Orden en México. A pesar de la ubicación central de Michoacán en el país, y ser un estado muestreado por numerosos investigadores, todavía existe carencia de información para regiones remotas, y en algunos grupos de mamíferos. Por ejemplo, el jaguar, que a pesar de ser el mayor felino del país, se carecía de confirmación para el estado, afortunadamente durante 2010 se localizó una población en el estado. Otro aspecto limitante para la interpretación adecuada de la estimación actual, es la antigüedad de muchos registros, ya que los estudios más completos realizados a escala regional, como en la costa Michoacana son de hace 30 años, y durante ese periodo se ha incrementado la deforestación de selvas tropicales, por lo que desconocemos la situación actual que presentan las poblaciones de mamíferos en el estado. En Michoacán encuentran su límite más norteño en el Pacífico tres especies de amplia distribución en el Neotrópico, Tamandua mexicana,  Potos flavus y Sphiggurus mexicanus, por lo que deben limitarse áreas que protejan sus poblaciones. Palabras clave: Distribución, Mochoacán, mamíferos, especies.ABSTRACT The wild mammals in Michoacan state have been studied since the XVIII century by reknown zoologists and naturalists. However, still in 1949 only 85 mammals species were recognized, and until 2005 a complete estimate based on the integration of national and international data bases records available from Scientific collections, since all available information was scattered. As a result of recent surveys with new records, the aim of this analysis was to provide an updated statistic of the terrestrial wild mammals taxonomic richness in the Michoacan state. Available records correspond to 161 species in 9 Orders, 25 families and 94 genera which represent 32% of the Mexican mammal species. The Order with the major number of species is Chiroptera that includes 74 species thet represent 53% of the Order in Mexico. Despite its central location in the country, and considering that the state has been surveyed by several prestigious academics, there is still a lack of information for remote regions, and for some mammal groups. For example, the jaguar, even though constitute the largest wild felid in the country, no information was available for the state, fortunately during 2010 a population was localized in the state. Another limiting factor for the adequate interpretation of the current estimate is that many records are outdated, since the most complete studies performed at a regional scale, like in the Michoaca coast, are 30 years old, and during that time-frame, tropical forest loss increased dramatically, for instance, the current situation that present the mammal populations in the state are unknown. In Michoacan three species with a broad neotropical distribution present its northernmost limit on the Pacific, Tamandua mexicana, Potos flavus, and Sphiggurus mexicanus and there is the need to establish protected areas oriented to protect their populations. Key words: Distribution, Michoacan, mammals, species.

scholarly journals Achieving mangrove conservation and sustainable use in Mexico through community-based Management Units for Wildlife Conservation within and beyond Protected Areas

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Fajardo ◽  
Ignacio Valdez Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Management Units ◽  
Alternative Scheme

Mangroves are valuable socio-ecological ecosystems that provide vital goods and services to millions of people, including wood, a renewable natural capital, which is the primary source of energy and construction material for several coastal communities in developing countries. Unfortunately, mangrove loss and degradation occur at alarming rates. Regardless of the protection and close monitoring of mangrove ecosystems in Mexico during the last two decades, mangrove degradation and the loss of biodiversity is still ongoing. In some regions, unregulated and unsustainable mangrove wood harvesting are important causes of degradation. In this context, community-based mangrove forestry through Management Units for Wildlife Conservation could be a cost-effective alternative scheme to manage and conserve mangrove forests, their ecosystem services and biological diversity within and beyond protected areas while providing sustainable local livelihoods and helping reduce illegal logging. The objective of the Management Units is to promote alternative means of production with the rational and planned use of renewable resources based on Management Plans. If implemented with a multidisciplinary perspective that incorporates scientific assessments this conservation strategy may contribute to achieving national and international environmental and biodiversity agreements providing multiple social, ecological and economic benefits from local to global scales.

scholarly journals Blessing the rains down in Africa: spatiotemporal behaviour of the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata (Mammalia: Rodentia) in the rainy and dry seasons, in the African savannah

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Viviano ◽  
Giovanni Amori ◽  
Luca Luiselli ◽  
Horst Oebel ◽  
Farid Bahleman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Activity Rhythms ◽  
Hystrix Cristata ◽  
Crested Porcupine ◽  
Birth Peak

The assessment of habitat selection and temporal patterns of activity rhythms is paramount for wildlife conservation. Studies on behavioural ecology of wild mammals are particularly challenging in tropical areas, mostly when involving rare or elusive species. Despite being a common species in Italy, the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata is threatened of extinction throughout most of its sub-Saharan range. All available information on the ecology of this species has been collected in Italy, whereas no data is present in the scientific literature on spatiotemporal behaviour of this large rodent in Africa. In this work, we attempted to determine habitat selection and temporal patterns of activity rhythms of the crested porcupine in northern Benin and neighbouring countries, through intensive camera-trapping. We collected a total of 146 records of crested porcupine, 91 in the dry season (October-March) and 55 in the rainy season (April-September). Porcupines used most habitats in proportion to their local availability, while selecting rock outcrop formations (possibly used as shelter sites) and avoiding open areas, wetlands and gallery forests. A mostly nocturnal behaviour was confirmed throughout the year, with some diurnal activity at the start and at the end of the rainy season. The importance of rains in determining birth peak has been also showed, with juvenile individuals always observed at the start and at the end of the rainy season. Full moon always inhibited activity of this large rodent, most likely evolved as an antipredatory behaviour to limit encounters with potential predators (common leopard Panthera pardus, spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta and honey badger Mellivora capensis) and humans. Poaching pressure towards porcupines in West Africa is strong. Porcupines are killed for the traditional medicine, for their meat and because they are widely considered as a crop pest. This assessment should therefore be used as a basic tool to design conservation plans to preserve this rodent species in its native range.

Nickel-hyperaccumulating species of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) from the Philippines

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn O. Quimado ◽  
Edwino S. Fernando ◽  
Lorele C. Trinidad ◽  
Augustine Doronila
Keyword(s):  
Nickel Content ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Translocation Factor ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Botanical Exploration ◽  
The Status ◽  
Root Tissues

Botanical exploration on ultramafic sites in Palawan, Surigao and Zambales has resulted in the discovery of a new hypernickelophore species (nickel (Ni) concentration >1%) of Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae). This paper reports in detail the Ni uptake of populations of P. erythrotrichus in Candelaria, Masinloc and Santa Cruz, Zambales, and confirms the status of P. securinegoides in Taganito, Surigao del Norte, which had been analysed only through herbarium specimens, and these were compared with a known hypernickelophore, P. balgooyi, which was collected in Narra and Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Nickel content of the dried leaves, stems and root tissues was quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. P. erythrotrichus and P. securinegoides both had more than 10 000 µg g–1 Ni in the leaves, whereas the roots had 1195 µg g–1 and 4636 µg g–1. P. balgooyi accumulated 6319 µg g–1 of Ni in the leaves, whereas the roots had a higher Ni concentration of up to 8116 µg g–1, respectively. All three species had values of translocation factor and enrichment factor of >1.0, implying that all species have great potential in phytoremediation, specifically, phytoextraction of Ni. These three species of Phyllanthus are prominent in ultramafic scrub communities and, hence, should be used in ecological restoration of mined-out Ni lateritic areas. The implications of the unique adaptation of these species are also discussed in relation to a conservation strategy for their natural populations.

scholarly journals Genetic Tools for the Conservation of Wild Asian Elephants

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Chalita Kongrit
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Asian Elephant ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Asian Elephants ◽  
Fragmented Populations ◽  
Genetic Method ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Low Genetic Diversity

The distribution of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) has been limited to the remaining discontinuous forests, mainly in the South and Southeast Asia. A global number of wild Asian elephants have been declining due to habitat loss, forest fragmentation, and anthropogenic disturbance. Acquiring information of wild populations is important for effective conservation and management plan. This article reviews the applications of noninvasive genetic method as a tool for studying wild Asian elephants. Noninvasive genetic method has been introduced to the field of wildlife conservation for more than two decades. The method provides reliable information of a population and facilitates investigation of genetic effects on small and fragmented populations. Various DNA markers for the Asian elephant, those include mitochondrial DNA, microsatellite DNA, and sex determination markers, have been developed and used to study wild elephant populations across the distribution range. Most of the studies revealed the issues of low genetic diversity in the small populations and interruption of gene flow among the fragmented populations. Tracking of ivory poaching has not yet been done in the Asian elephant. It could be carried out if a reference genetic database of the natural populations is available. Noninvasive genetic method has been proved to be a promising tool for conservation of the wild Asian elephants. Transboundary collaboration would give hope for a successful long-term conservation of this charismatic species in their natural habitats.

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