Spong, G. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2024

SNP panel for non-invasive genotyping of leopard (Panthera pardus)

Genetic resources for species monitoring should ideally be relevant for the species full distribution range, feasible economically and logistically, and validated for the range of sample types collected from the field. This is particularly important for large carnivores that are elusive and wide-ranging, where individual and population processes often traverse administrative borders, and where obtaining high-quality samples can be challenging. Here we present a small species-specific SNP panel for leopards. We used whole genome data from across the global range and RAD sequence data from Zambian leopards to select markers for assay development. These were ascertained for 590 individual leopards from eight African countries and final selection was based on marker variation and performance on non-invasive samples. The final 96 marker panel holds 5 mitochondrial markers for species recognition, 3 Y-markers for determination of individual sex, 3 X-markers and 85 somatic markers, with an associated genetic baseline holding nearly 900 individuals. The selected autosomal markers hold variation across the global range with high power to identify individuals (PID=2,45x10-35) and in most cases their provenance with high assignment probability (>95%). Markers were also selected based on their performance on samples with low target DNA content, with distinct genotype separation in the output marker plots. The genotypes from this panel are thus straightforward to analyze and do not require computationally challenging bioinformatic resources, making this a low cost and accessible resource for leopard monitoring and research.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2024

Linear infrastructure and associated wildlife accidents create an ecological trap for an apex predator and scavenger

Animals can be caught in an "ecological trap" when they select for seemingly attractive habitats at the expense of their fitness. Such maladaptive behaviour is often a consequence of human induced rapid changes in animals natal environment such as building of energy and transportation infrastructure. We tested the ecological trap hypotheses for human created linear infrastructure on a widely distributed apex predator and a scavenger - the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), whose range spans across the entire northern hemisphere. Roads and railways create novel and attractive feeding subsidies through traffic induced mortality of other species, while powerline areas provide perching or nesting sites and scavenging opportunities from electrocuted or collision-killed birds. These conditions lead to negative demographic consequences for eagles. We used integrated step selection functions for habitat selection and movement behaviour with ten years of data from 74 GPS-tracked Golden Eagles (36 adult and 38 immature) in Fennoscandia. To measure habitat attractiveness, we use wildlife traffic accident statistics on major wildlife species including the eagles, and mortality of five GPS- tracked eagles to show demographic consequences. Eagles selected for linear features all year round and across entire study region. Individuals also searched and sat alongside roads and railway lines more frequently. Immature eagles selected roads and railway sites more consistently compared to adults and showed learning behaviour with age. We discuss implications of these findings for conservation and population ecology of apex predators and scavengers and their potential evolutionary implications. We suggest that rapid removal of carcasses from roads and tracks is urgently needed to avoid this trap for many raptor and scavenger species throughout the world and develop methods and approaches to reduce wildlife traffic accidents all together.

ecology↗