Wildlife management in rapid changing landscapes requires critical planning through cross cutting networks, and understanding of landscape features, often affected by the anthropogenic activities. The present study demonstrates fine-scale spatial patterns of genetic variation and contemporary gene flow of red panda (Ailurus fulgens) populations with respect to landscape connectivity in Kangchenjunga Landscape (KL), India. The study found about 1,309.54 km2 area suitable for red panda in KL—India, of which 62.21% area fell under the Protected Area network. We identified 24 unique individuals from 234 feces collected at nine microsatellite loci. The spatially explicit and non-explicit Bayesian clustering algorithms evident to exhibit population structuring and supported red panda populations to exist in meta-population frame work. In concurrence to the habitat suitability and landscape connectivity models, gene flow results supported a contemporary asymmetric movement of red panda by connecting KL—India in a crescent arc. We demonstrate the structural-operational connectivity of corridors in KL—India that facilitated red panda movement in the past. We also seek for cooperation in Nepal, Bhutan and China to aid in preparing for a comprehensive monitoring plan for the long-term conservation and management of red panda in trans-boundary landscapes.

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Molecular tools have been used in wildlife forensics for species identification of indiscernible samples and to provide evidence against poaching of wildlife and illegal trade of their products. This study was undertaken in identifying a confiscated material that has been seized under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India suspecting that accused has poached a deer species of wild origin for local consumption. The sample was processed for DNA sequencing of the partial fragments of three mitochondrial genes, that is, Cytochrome b, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA genes. Surprisingly, generated sequences from the confiscated sample showed 99% homology with Bos indicus, and phylogenetic analysis also clustered the confiscated material with Bos indicus with high bootstrap support. This study upholds the evidence for accused as the suspicion of confiscated material being an illegal product was negated, and the raw meat of cattle was merely for consumption through reliable assessment and validation from a public database. This case study exhibits the value of DNA barcoding and molecular diagnostic techniques to decipher the morphologically altered materials in wildlife forensic cases.

Wildlife management in rapid changing landscapes requires critical planning through cross cutting networks, and understanding of landscape features, often affected by the anthropogenic activities. The present study demonstrates fine-scale spatial patterns of genetic variation and contemporary gene flow of red panda (Ailurus fulgens) populations with respect to landscape connectivity in Kangchenjunga Landscape (KL), India. The study found about 1309.54 Km2 area suitable for red panda in KL-India, of which 62.21% area fell under the Protected Area network. We identified 24 unique individuals from 234 feces collected at nine microsatellite loci. The spatially explicit and non-explicit Bayesian clustering algorithms evident to exhibit population structuring and supported red panda populations to exist in meta-population frame work. In concurrence to the habitat suitability and landscape connectivity models, gene flow results supported a contemporary asymmetric movement of red panda by connecting KL- India in a crescent arc. We demonstrate the structural-operational connectivity of corridors in KL-India that facilitated red panda movement in the past. We also seek for cooperation in Nepal, Bhutan and China to aid in preparing for a comprehensive monitoring plan for the long-term conservation and management of red panda in trans-boundary landscapes.

No abstract