Biology subjects

Georgiev, A. V.

Publications and source records attributed to Georgiev, A. V..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Targeted Chromosomal Sequencing of Wild Bonobos Identifies a Genetically Distinct Subpopulation East of the Lomami River

Bonobos (Pan paniscus), an endangered species, have for decades been genetically understudied, partly due to difficulties in obtaining high-quality samples. The study of their genome is important not only for understanding their evolution, but also for improving conservation efforts, including population management, diversity and inbreeding assessment, and tracking rescued individuals to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. Here, we use chromosome 21 target capture data from 156 non-invasively collected faecal samples from wild bonobos to perform a comprehensive analysis of their population structure. We confirm the existence of three previously suggested subpopulations identified here as Western, Central and Eastern bonobos which are defined by natural barriers of gene flow such as the Lomami River. By estimating levels of inbreeding, diversity and differentiation, we find support for isolation of mainly Western and Eastern populations and add information on the dispersal routes of their ancestors. We infer split times and separation of these populations and apply a genetic framework to geolocalize samples of unknown origin, showing that locations of their potential origin can be estimated with a precision of up to a median of [~]50 km. Our study provides valuable insight into the evolution and population structure of bonobos and reveals how rivers act as strong barriers between populations. It also offers resources for conservation efforts and highlights the need to monitor bonobo populations more closely, in particular isolated ones. ImpactBonobos have been difficult to study genetically due to their remote forest habitat and endangered status. Here we used non-invasive sampling and chromosome 21 target capture sequencing to perform the most detailed analysis to date of their population structure. We find three main subpopulations and genetic differentiation influenced by river barriers, especially with populations found on the Eastern side of the Lomami river. This data will be useful for identifying the geographic origin of confiscated samples and thus aid bonobo conservation efforts.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2020

The impact and implications of vehicle collisions on the endangered and endemic Zanzibar red colobus (Piliocolobus kirkii)

Roads can affect wildlife in a variety of negative ways. Studies of road ecology have mostly concentrated in the northern hemisphere despite the potentially greater impact on biodiversity that roads may have in tropical habitats. Here, we examine a 4-year opportunistic dataset (January 2016 - December 2019) on mammalian roadkill observed along a road intersecting Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, Unguja, Zanzibar. In particular, we assess the impact of collisions on the population of an endangered and endemic primate, the Zanzibar red colobus (Piliocolobus kirkii). Primates accounted for the majority of roadkill. Monthly rainfall variation was not associated with roadkill frequency for mammals and specifically for the Zanzibar red colobus. No single age-sex class of colobus was found dead more often than expected given their availability in the local population. The exact effect of roadkill on colobus populations in habitats fragmented by roads is unknown given the lack of accurate, long-term life history data for this species. However, the frequency of kills documented in this study suggests further mitigation measures may be important. Our data show that mortality from collisions with vehicles in some groups of colobus are comparable to rates of mortality experienced by other primate populations from natural predation. Unlike natural predators, however, vehicles are not selective in their targeting of prey. The long-term implications of such a predation regime on this species remain to be established.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2017

Experimental evidence that female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) perceive variation in male facial masculinity

Among many primate species, face shape is sexually dimorphic, and male facial masculinity has been proposed to influence female mate choice and male-male competition by signalling competitive ability. However, whether conspecifics pay attention to facial masculinity has only been assessed in humans. In a study of free-ranging rhesus macaques, Macaca mulatta, we used a two-alternative look-time experiment to test whether females perceive male facial masculinity. We presented 107 females with pairs of images of male faces - one with a more masculine shape and one more feminine - and recorded their looking behaviour. Females looked at the masculine face longer than at the feminine face in more trials than predicted by chance. Although there was no overall difference in average look-time between masculine and feminine faces across all trials, females looked significantly longer at masculine faces in a subset of trials for which the within-pair difference in masculinity was most pronounced. Additionally, the proportion of time subjects looked toward the masculine face increased as the within-pair difference in masculinity increased. This study provides evidence that female macaques perceive variation in male facial shape, a necessary condition for intersexual selection to operate on such a trait. It also highlights the potential impact of perceptual thresholds on look-time experiments.

animal behavior and cognition↗