@article{PatelFoersterKitcheneretal.2016, author = {Patel, Riddhi P. and F{\"o}rster, Daniel W. and Kitchener, Andrew C. and Rayan, Mark D. and Mohamed, Shariff W. and Werner, Laura and Lenz, Dorina and Pfestorf, Hans and Kramer-Schadt, Stephanie and Radchuk, Viktoriia and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and Wilting, Andreas}, title = {Two species of Southeast Asian cats in the genus Catopuma with diverging histories: an island endemic forest specialist and a widespread habitat generalist}, series = {Royal Society Open Science}, volume = {3}, journal = {Royal Society Open Science}, publisher = {Royal Society}, address = {London}, issn = {2054-5703}, doi = {10.1098/rsos.160350}, pages = {741 -- 752}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background. The bay cat Catopuma badia is endemic to Borneo, whereas its sister species the Asian golden cat Catopuma temminckii is distributed from the Himalayas and southern China through Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. Based onmorphological data, up to five subspecies of the Asian golden cat have been recognized, but a taxonomic assessment, including molecular data and morphological characters, is still lacking. Results. We combined molecular data (whole mitochondrial genomes), morphological data (pelage) and species distribution projections (up to the Late Pleistocene) to infer how environmental changes may have influenced the distribution of these sister species over the past 120 000 years. The molecular analysis was based on sequenced mitogenomes of 3 bay cats and 40 Asian golden cats derived mainly from archival samples. Our molecular data suggested a time of split between the two species approximately 3.16 Ma and revealed very low nucleotide diversity within the Asian golden cat population, which supports recent expansion of the population. Discussion. The low nucleotide diversity suggested a population bottleneck in the Asian golden cat, possibly caused by the eruption of the Toba volcano in Northern Sumatra (approx. 74 kya), followed by a continuous population expansion in the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene. Species distribution projections, the reconstruction of the demographic history, a genetic isolation-by-distance pattern and a gradual variation of pelage pattern support the hypothesis of a post-Toba population expansion of the Asian golden cat from south China/Indochina to PeninsularMalaysia and Sumatra. Our findings reject the current classification of five subspecies for the Asian golden cat, but instead support either a monotypic species or one comprising two subspecies: (i) the Sunda golden cat, distributed south of the Isthmus of Kra: C. t. temminckii and (ii) Indochinese, Indian, Himalayan and Chinese golden cats, occurring north of the Isthmus: C. t. moormensis.}, language = {en} } @article{BullHeurichSaveljevetal.2016, author = {Bull, James K. and Heurich, Marco and Saveljev, Alexander P. and Schmidt, Krzysztof and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and F{\"o}rster, Daniel W.}, title = {The effect of reintroductions on the genetic variability in Eurasian lynx populations: the cases of Bohemian-Bavarian and Vosges-Palatinian populations}, series = {Conservation genetics}, volume = {17}, journal = {Conservation genetics}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1566-0621}, doi = {10.1007/s10592-016-0839-0}, pages = {1229 -- 1234}, year = {2016}, language = {en} } @misc{BullHeurichSaveljevetal.2016, author = {Bull, James K. and Heurich, Marco and Saveljev, Alexander P. and Schmidt, Krzysztof and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and F{\"o}rster, Daniel W.}, title = {The effect of reintroductions on the genetic variability in Eurasian lynx populations}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {884}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43511}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-435117}, pages = {1229 -- 1234}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Over the past ~40 years, several attempts were made to reintroduce Eurasian lynx to suitable habitat within their former distribution range in Western Europe. In general, limited numbers of individuals have been released to establish new populations. To evaluate the effects of reintroductions on the genetic status of lynx populations we used 12 microsatellite loci to study lynx populations in the Bohemian-Bavarian and Vosges-Palatinian forests. Compared with autochthonous lynx populations, these two reintroduced populations displayed reduced genetic diversity, particularly the Vosges-Palatinian population. Our genetic data provide further evidence to support the status of 'endangered' and 'critically endangered' for the Bohemian-Bavarian and Vosges-Palatinian populations, respectively. Regarding conservation management, we highlight the need to limit poaching, and advocate additional translocations to bolster genetic variability.}, language = {en} } @article{FoersterBullLenzetal.2018, author = {F{\"o}rster, Daniel W. and Bull, James K. and Lenz, Dorina and Autenrieth, Marijke and Paijmans, Johanna L. A. and Kraus, Robert H. S. and Nowak, Carsten and Bayerl, Helmut and K{\"u}hn, Ralph and Saveljev, Alexander P. and Sindicic, Magda and Hofreiter, Michael and Schmidt, Krzysztof and Fickel, J{\"o}rns}, title = {Targeted resequencing of coding DNA sequences for SNP discovery in nonmodel species}, series = {Molecular ecology resources}, volume = {18}, journal = {Molecular ecology resources}, number = {6}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1755-098X}, doi = {10.1111/1755-0998.12924}, pages = {1356 -- 1373}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Targeted capture coupled with high-throughput sequencing can be used to gain information about nuclear sequence variation at hundreds to thousands of loci. Divergent reference capture makes use of molecular data of one species to enrich target loci in other (related) species. This is particularly valuable for nonmodel organisms, for which often no a priori knowledge exists regarding these loci. Here, we have used targeted capture to obtain data for 809 nuclear coding DNA sequences (CDS) in a nonmodel organism, the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx, using baits designed with the help of the published genome of a related model organism (the domestic cat Felis catus). Using this approach, we were able to survey intraspecific variation at hundreds of nuclear loci in L. lynx across the species' European range. A large set of biallelic candidate SNPs was then evaluated using a high-throughput SNP genotyping platform (Fluidigm), which we then reduced to a final 96 SNP-panel based on assay performance and reliability; validation was carried out with 100 additional Eurasian lynx samples not included in the SNP discovery phase. The 96 SNP-panel developed from CDS performed very successfully in the identification of individuals and in population genetic structure inference (including the assignment of individuals to their source population). In keeping with recent studies, our results show that genic SNPs can be valuable for genetic monitoring of wildlife species.}, language = {en} } @article{AceroAloisioAmansetal.2017, author = {Acero, F. and Aloisio, R. and Amans, J. and Amato, Elena and Antonelli, L. A. and Aramo, C. and Armstrong, T. and Arqueros, F. and Asano, Katsuaki and Ashley, M. and Backes, M. and Balazs, C. and Balzer, A. and Bamba, Aya and Barkov, Maxim and Barrio, J. A. and Benbow, Wystan and Bernloehr, K. and Beshley, V. and Bigongiari, C. and Biland, A. and Bilinsky, A. and Bissaldi, Elisabetta and Biteau, J. and Blanch, O. and Blasi, P. and Blazek, J. and Boisson, C. and Bonanno, G. and Bonardi, A. and Bonavolonta, C. and Bonnoli, G. and Braiding, C. and Brau-Nogue, S. and Bregeon, J. and Brown, A. M. and Bugaev, V. and Bulgarelli, A. and Bulik, T. and Burton, Michael and Burtovoi, A. and Busetto, G. and Bottcher, M. and Cameron, R. and Capalbi, M. and Caproni, Anderson and Caraveo, P. and Carosi, R. and Cascone, E. and Cerruti, M. and Chaty, Sylvain and Chen, A. and Chen, X. and Chernyakova, M. and Chikawa, M. and Chudoba, J. and Cohen-Tanugi, J. and Colafrancesco, S. and Conforti, V. and Contreras, J. L. and Costa, A. and Cotter, G. and Covino, Stefano and Covone, G. and Cumani, P. and Cusumano, G. and Daniel, M. and Dazzi, F. and De Angelis, A. and De Cesare, G. and De Franco, A. and De Frondat, F. and Dal Pino, E. M. de Gouveia and De Lisio, C. and Lopez, R. de los Reyes and De Lotto, B. and de Naurois, M. and De Palma, F. and Del Santo, M. and Delgado, C. and della Volpe, D. and Di Girolamo, T. and Di Giulio, C. and Di Pierro, F. and Di Venere, L. and Doro, M. and Dournaux, J. and Dumas, D. and Dwarkadas, Vikram V. and Diaz, C. and Ebr, J. and Egberts, Kathrin and Einecke, S. and Elsaesser, D. and Eschbach, S. and Falceta-Goncalves, D. and Fasola, G. and Fedorova, E. and Fernandez-Barral, A. and Ferrand, Gilles and Fesquet, M. and Fiandrini, E. and Fiasson, A. and Filipovic, Miroslav D. and Fioretti, V. and Font, L. and Fontaine, Gilles and Franco, F. J. and Freixas Coromina, L. and Fujita, Yutaka and Fukui, Y. and Funk, S. and Forster, A. and Gadola, A. and Lopez, R. Garcia and Garczarczyk, M. and Giglietto, N. and Giordano, F. and Giuliani, A. and Glicenstein, J. and Gnatyk, R. and Goldoni, P. and Grabarczyk, T. and Graciani, R. and Graham, J. and Grandi, P. and Granot, Jonathan and Green, A. J. and Griffiths, S. and Gunji, S. and Hakobyan, H. and Hara, S. and Hassan, T. and Hayashida, M. and Heller, M. and Helo, J. C. and Hinton, J. and Hnatyk, B. and Huet, J. and Huetten, M. and Humensky, T. B. and Hussein, M. and Horandel, J. and Ikeno, Y. and Inada, T. and Inome, Y. and Inoue, S. and Inoue, T. and Inoue, Y. and Ioka, K. and Iori, Maurizio and Jacquemier, J. and Janecek, P. and Jankowsky, D. and Jung, I. and Kaaret, P. and Katagiri, H. and Kimeswenger, S. and Kimura, Shigeo S. and Knodlseder, J. and Koch, B. and Kocot, J. and Kohri, K. and Komin, N. and Konno, Y. and Kosack, K. and Koyama, S. and Kraus, Michaela and Kubo, Hidetoshi and Mezek, G. Kukec and Kushida, J. and La Palombara, N. and Lalik, K. and Lamanna, G. and Landt, H. and Lapington, J. and Laporte, P. and Lee, S. and Lees, J. and Lefaucheur, J. and Lenain, J. -P. and Leto, Giuseppe and Lindfors, E. and Lohse, T. and Lombardi, S. and Longo, F. and Lopez, M. and Lucarelli, F. and Luque-Escamilla, Pedro Luis and Lopez-Coto, R. and Maccarone, M. C. and Maier, G. and Malaguti, G. and Mandat, D. and Maneva, G. and Mangano, S. and Marcowith, Alexandre and Marti, J. and Martinez, M. and Martinez, G. and Masuda, S. and Maurin, G. and Maxted, N. and Melioli, Claudio and Mineo, T. and Mirabal, N. and Mizuno, T. and Moderski, R. and Mohammed, M. and Montaruli, T. and Moralejo, A. and Mori, K. and Morlino, G. and Morselli, A. and Moulin, Emmanuel and Mukherjee, R. and Mundell, C. and Muraishi, H. and Murase, Kohta and Nagataki, Shigehiro and Nagayoshi, T. and Naito, T. and Nakajima, D. and Nakamori, T. and Nemmen, R. and Niemiec, Jacek and Nieto, D. and Nievas-Rosillo, M. and Nikolajuk, M. and Nishijima, K. and Noda, K. and Nogues, L. and Nosek, D. and Novosyadlyj, B. and Nozaki, S. and Ohira, Yutaka and Ohishi, M. and Ohm, S. and Okumura, A. and Ong, R. A. and Orito, R. and Orlati, A. and Ostrowski, M. and Oya, I. and Padovani, Marco and Palacio, J. and Palatka, M. and Paredes, Josep M. and Pavy, S. and Persic, M. and Petrucci, P. and Petruk, Oleh and Pisarski, A. and Pohl, Martin and Porcelli, A. and Prandini, E. and Prast, J. and Principe, G. and Prouza, M. and Pueschel, Elisa and Puelhofer, G. and Quirrenbach, A. and Rameez, M. and Reimer, O. and Renaud, M. and Ribo, M. and Rico, J. and Rizi, V. and Rodriguez, J. and Fernandez, G. Rodriguez and Rodriguez Vazquez, J. J. and Romano, Patrizia and Romeo, G. and Rosado, J. and Rousselle, J. and Rowell, G. and Rudak, B. and Sadeh, I. and Safi-Harb, S. and Saito, T. and Sakaki, N. and Sanchez, D. and Sangiorgi, P. and Sano, H. and Santander, M. and Sarkar, S. and Sawada, M. and Schioppa, E. J. and Schoorlemmer, H. and Schovanek, P. and Schussler, F. and Sergijenko, O. and Servillat, M. and Shalchi, A. and Shellard, R. C. and Siejkowski, H. and Sillanpaa, A. and Simone, D. and Sliusar, V. and Sol, H. and Stanic, S. and Starling, R. and Stawarz, L. and Stefanik, S. and Stephan, M. and Stolarczyk, T. and Szanecki, M. and Szepieniec, T. and Tagliaferri, G. and Tajima, H. and Takahashi, M. and Takeda, J. and Tanaka, M. and Tanaka, S. and Tejedor, L. A. and Telezhinsky, Igor O. and Temnikov, P. and Terada, Y. and Tescaro, D. and Teshima, M. and Testa, V. and Thoudam, S. and Tokanai, F. and Torres, D. F. and Torresi, E. and Tosti, G. and Townsley, C. and Travnicek, P. and Trichard, C. and Trifoglio, M. and Tsujimoto, S. and Vagelli, V. and Vallania, P. and Valore, L. and van Driel, W. and van Eldik, C. and Vandenbroucke, Justin and Vassiliev, V. and Vecchi, M. and Vercellone, Stefano and Vergani, S. and Vigorito, C. and Vorobiov, S. and Vrastil, M. and Vazquez Acosta, M. L. and Wagner, S. J. and Wagner, R. and Wakely, S. P. and Walter, R. and Ward, J. E. and Watson, J. J. and Weinstein, A. and White, M. and White, R. and Wierzcholska, A. and Wilcox, P. and Williams, D. A. and Wischnewski, R. and Wojcik, P. and Yamamoto, T. and Yamamoto, H. and Yamazaki, Ryo and Yanagita, S. and Yang, L. and Yoshida, T. and Yoshida, M. and Yoshiike, S. and Yoshikoshi, T. and Zacharias, M. and Zampieri, L. and Zanin, R. and Zavrtanik, M. and Zavrtanik, D. and Zdziarski, A. and Zech, Alraune and Zechlin, Hannes and Zhdanov, V. and Ziegler, A. and Zorn, J.}, title = {Prospects for Cherenkov Telescope Array Observations of the Young Supernova Remnant RX J1713.7-3946}, series = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, volume = {840}, journal = {The astrophysical journal : an international review of spectroscopy and astronomical physics}, number = {2}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0004-637X}, doi = {10.3847/1538-4357/aa6d67}, pages = {14}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We perform simulations for future Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) observations of RX J1713.7-3946, a young supernova remnant (SNR) and one of the brightest sources ever discovered in very high energy (VHE) gamma rays. Special attention is paid to exploring possible spatial (anti) correlations of gamma rays with emission at other wavelengths, in particular X-rays and CO/H I emission. We present a series of simulated images of RX J1713.7-3946 for CTA based on a set of observationally motivated models for the gamma-ray emission. In these models, VHE gamma rays produced by high-energy electrons are assumed to trace the nonthermal X-ray emission observed by XMM-Newton, whereas those originating from relativistic protons delineate the local gas distributions. The local atomic and molecular gas distributions are deduced by the NANTEN team from CO and H I observations. Our primary goal is to show how one can distinguish the emission mechanism(s) of the gamma rays (i.e., hadronic versus leptonic, or a mixture of the two) through information provided by their spatial distribution, spectra, and time variation. This work is the first attempt to quantitatively evaluate the capabilities of CTA to achieve various proposed scientific goals by observing this important cosmic particle accelerator.}, language = {en} } @misc{AmbarlıMenguellueoğluFickeletal.2018, author = {Ambarl{\i}, H{\"u}seyin and Meng{\"u}ll{\"u}oğlu, Deniz and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and F{\"o}rster, Daniel W.}, title = {Population genetics of the main population of brown bears in southwest Asia}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {937}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-45912}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-459124}, pages = {20}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Genetic studies of the Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos) have so far focused on populations from Europe and North America, although the largest distribution area of brown bears is in Asia. In this study, we reveal population genetic parameters for the brown bear population inhabiting the Grand Ka{\c{c}}kar Mountains (GKM) in the north east of Turkey, western Lesser Caucasus. Using both hair (N = 147) and tissue samples (N = 7) collected between 2008 and 2014, we found substantial levels of genetic variation (10 microsatellite loci). Bear samples (hair) taken from rubbing trees worked better for genotyping than those from power poles, regardless of the year collected. Genotyping also revealed that bears moved between habitat patches, despite ongoing massive habitat alterations and the creation of large water reservoirs. This population has the potential to serve as a genetic reserve for future reintroductions in the Middle East. Due to the importance of the GKM population for on-going and future conservation actions, the impacts of habitat alterations in the region ought to be minimized; e.g., by establishing green bridges or corridors over reservoirs and major roads to maintain habitat connectivity and gene flow among populations in the Lesser Caucasus.}, language = {en} } @article{KundeMartinsPremieretal.2019, author = {Kunde, Miriam N. and Martins, Renata Filipa and Premier, Joe and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and F{\"o}rster, Daniel W.}, title = {Population and landscape genetic analysis of the Malayan sun bear Helarctos malayanus}, series = {Conservation genetics}, volume = {21}, journal = {Conservation genetics}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1566-0621}, doi = {10.1007/s10592-019-01233-w}, pages = {123 -- 135}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Conservation genetics can provide data needed by conservation practitioners for their decisions regarding the management of vulnerable or endangered species, such as the sun bear Helarctos malayanus. Throughout its range, the sun bear is threatened by loss and fragmentation of its habitat and the illegal trade of both live bears and bear parts. Sharply declining population numbers and population sizes, and a lack of natural dispersal between populations all threaten the genetic diversity of the remaining populations of this species. In this first population genetics study of sun bears using microsatellite markers, we analyzed 68 sun bear samples from Cambodia to investigate population structure and genetic diversity. We found evidence for two genetically distinct populations in the West and East of Cambodia. Ongoing or recent gene flow between these populations does not appear sufficient to alleviate loss of diversity in these populations, one of which (West Cambodia) is characterized by significant inbreeding. We were able to assign 85\% of sun bears of unknown origin to one of the two populations with high confidence (assignment probability >= 85\%), providing valuable information for future bear reintroduction programs. Further, our results suggest that developed land (mostly agricultural mosaics) acts as a barrier to gene flow for sun bears in Cambodia. We highlight that regional sun bear conservation action plans should consider promoting population connectivity and enforcing wildlife protection of this threatened species.}, language = {en} } @misc{RibeiroMartinsFickelLeetal.2017, author = {Ribeiro Martins, Renata Filipa and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and Le, Minh and Nguyen, Thanh van and Nguyen, Ha M. and Timmins, Robert and Gan, Han Ming and Rovie-Ryan, Jeffrine J. and Lenz, Dorina and F{\"o}rster, Daniel W. and Wilting, Andreas}, title = {Phylogeography of red muntjacs reveals three distinct mitochondrial lineages}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {973}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43078}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-430780}, pages = {14}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background The members of the genus Muntiacus are of particular interest to evolutionary biologists due to their extreme chromosomal rearrangements and the ongoing discussions about the number of living species. Red muntjacs have the largest distribution of all muntjacs and were formerly considered as one species. Karyotype differences led to the provisional split between the Southern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) and the Northern Red Muntjac (M. vaginalis), but uncertainties remain as, so far, no phylogenetic study has been conducted. Here, we analysed whole mitochondrial genomes of 59 archival and 16 contemporaneous samples to resolve uncertainties about their taxonomy and used red muntjacs as model for understanding the evolutionary history of other species in Southeast Asia. Results We found three distinct matrilineal groups of red muntjacs: Sri Lankan red muntjacs (including the Western Ghats) diverged first from other muntjacs about 1.5 Mya; later northern red muntjacs (including North India and Indochina) and southern red muntjacs (Sundaland) split around 1.12 Mya. The diversification of red muntjacs into these three main lineages was likely promoted by two Pleistocene barriers: one through the Indian subcontinent and one separating the Indochinese and Sundaic red muntjacs. Interestingly, we found a high level of gene flow within the populations of northern and southern red muntjacs, indicating gene flow between populations in Indochina and dispersal of red muntjacs over the exposed Sunda Shelf during the Last Glacial Maximum. Conclusions Our results provide new insights into the evolution of species in South and Southeast Asia as we found clear genetic differentiation in a widespread and generalist species, corresponding to two known biogeographical barriers: The Isthmus of Kra and the central Indian dry zone. In addition, our molecular data support either the delineation of three monotypic species or three subspecies, but more importantly these data highlight the conservation importance of the Sri Lankan/South Indian red muntjac.}, language = {en} } @article{MartinsFickelMinhLeetal.2017, author = {Martins, Renata F. and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and Minh Le, and Thanh Van Nguyen, and Nguyen, Ha M. and Timmins, Robert and Gan, Han Ming and Rovie-Ryan, Jeffrine J. and Lenz, Dorina and F{\"o}rster, Daniel W. and Wilting, Andreas}, title = {Phylogeography of red muntjacs reveals three distinct mitochondrial lineages}, series = {BMC evolutionary biology}, volume = {17}, journal = {BMC evolutionary biology}, number = {34}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1471-2148}, doi = {10.1186/s12862-017-0888-0}, pages = {12}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: The members of the genus Muntiacus are of particular interest to evolutionary biologists due to their extreme chromosomal rearrangements and the ongoing discussions about the number of living species. Red muntjacs have the largest distribution of all muntjacs and were formerly considered as one species. Karyotype differences led to the provisional split between the Southern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) and the Northern Red Muntjac (M. vaginalis), but uncertainties remain as, so far, no phylogenetic study has been conducted. Here, we analysed whole mitochondrial genomes of 59 archival and 16 contemporaneous samples to resolve uncertainties about their taxonomy and used red muntjacs as model for understanding the evolutionary history of other species in Southeast Asia. Results: We found three distinct matrilineal groups of red muntjacs: Sri Lankan red muntjacs (including the Western Ghats) diverged first from other muntjacs about 1.5 Mya; later northern red muntjacs (including North India and Indochina) and southern red muntjacs (Sundaland) split around 1.12 Mya. The diversification of red muntjacs into these three main lineages was likely promoted by two Pleistocene barriers: one through the Indian subcontinent and one separating the Indochinese and Sundaic red muntjacs. Interestingly, we found a high level of gene flow within the populations of northern and southern red muntjacs, indicating gene flow between populations in Indochina and dispersal of red muntjacs over the exposed Sunda Shelf during the Last Glacial Maximum. Conclusions: Our results provide new insights into the evolution of species in South and Southeast Asia as we found clear genetic differentiation in a widespread and generalist species, corresponding to two known biogeographical barriers: The Isthmus of Kra and the central Indian dry zone. In addition, our molecular data support either the delineation of three monotypic species or three subspecies, but more importantly these data highlight the conservation importance of the Sri Lankan/South Indian red muntjac.}, language = {en} } @article{MenguellueoğluFickelHoferetal.2019, author = {Meng{\"u}ll{\"u}oğlu, Deniz and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and Hofer, Heribert and F{\"o}rster, Daniel W.}, title = {Non-invasive faecal sampling reveals spatial organization and improves measures of genetic diversity for the conservation assessment of territorial species}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {14}, journal = {PLoS one}, number = {5}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0216549}, pages = {20}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The Caucasian lynx, Lynx lynx dinniki, has one of the southernmost distributions in the Eurasian lynx range, covering Anatolian Turkey, the Caucasus and Iran. Little is known about the biology and the genetic status of this subspecies. To collect baseline genetic, ecological and behavioural data and benefit future conservation of L. l. dinniki, we monitored 11 lynx territories (396 km(2)) in northwestern Anatolia. We assessed genetic diversity of this population by non-invasively collecting 171 faecal samples and trapped and sampled 12 lynx individuals using box traps. We observed high allelic variation at 11 nuclear microsatellite markers, and found no signs of inbreeding despite the potential isolation of this population. We obtained similar numbers of distinct genotypes from the two sampling sources. Our results indicated that first order female relatives occupy neighbouring territories (female philopatry) and that territorial male lynx were highly unrelated to each other and to female territorial lynx, suggesting long distance male dispersal. Particular male and female resident territorial lynx and their offspring (kittens and subadults) were more likely to be trapped than resident floaters or dispersing (unrelated) lynx. Conversely, we obtained more data for unrelated lynx and higher numbers of territorials using non-invasive sampling (faeces). When invasive and non-invasive samples were analysed separately, the spatial organisation of lynx (in terms of female philopatry and females and males occupying permanent ranges) affected measures of genetic diversity in such a way that estimates of genetic diversity were reduced if only invasive samples were considered. It appears that, at small spatial scales, invasive sampling using box traps may underestimate the genetic diversity in carnivores with permanent ranges and philopatry such as the Eurasian lynx. As non-invasive sampling can also provide additional data on diet and spatial organisation, we advocate the use of such samples for conservation genetic studies of vulnerable, endangered or data deficient territorial species.}, language = {en} }