@article{AmbarliMenguellueoğluFickeletal.2018,
  author    = {Ambarli, H{\"u}seyin and Meng{\"u}ll{\"u}oğlu, Deniz and Fickel, J{\"o}rns and F{\"o}rster, Daniel W.},
  title     = {Hotel AMANO Grand Central of brown bears in southwest Asia},
  series = {PeerJ},
  volume    = {6},
  journal   = {PeerJ},
  publisher = {PeerJ Inc.},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {2167-8359},
  doi       = {10.7717/peerj.5660},
  pages     = {18},
  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 Kackar 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 reintroduction 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}
}