Genetic diversity and spatial structures of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) reveal proxies of connectivity across Mongolia and northwestern China

Hacker, Charlotte E.; Atzeni, Luciano; Munkhtsog, Bariushaa; Munkhtsog, Bayaraa; Galsandorj, Naranbaatar; Zhang, Yuguang; Liu, Yanlin; Chimeddorj, Buyanaa; Bayandonoi, Gantulga; Ochirjav, Munkhtogtokh; Farrington, John; Jevit, Matthew; Wu, Liangquan; Li, Diqiang; Gavette, Charleen; Jackson, Rodney; Janečka, Jan E.

doi:10.1007/s10980-022-01573-y

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…Studies on connectivity and landscape‐level conservation planning for snow leopards have used theoretical models based on habitat suitability (Li et al, 2020; Riordan et al, 2016) and relatedness among populations (Hacker et al, 2022). Riordan et al (2016) suggested that the maximum lifetime dispersal ability of snow leopards is between 50 and 100 km in unfavorable habitats while Hacker et al (2022) showed that populations in Mongolia and China were genetically separated, suggesting that the steppe landscape between these populations formed a substantial barrier between the populations. In contrast, the three dispersing individuals in our study traveled significant distances across the steppe, where each of them covered a minimum of 40 km.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In elusive species ranging over large areas, like the snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ), metapopulation genetic structure and habitat modeling can be used to infer barriers to movement (e.g., Hacker et al, 2022; Riordan et al, 2016). These must be supplemented with observations of individual animals, difficult as they are to obtain, in order to reliably interpret models on connectivity and permeability.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Natal dispersal and exploratory forays through atypical habitat in the mountain‐bound snow leopard

Johansson,

Alexander,

Lkhagvajav

et al. 2024

Ecology

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Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Natal dispersal and exploratory forays through atypical habitat in the mountain‐bound snow leopard

Johansson,

Alexander,

Lkhagvajav

et al. 2024

Ecology

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Snow leopard phylogeography and population structure supports two global populations with single refugial origin

Cancellare,

Weckworth,

Caragiulo

et al. 2024

Biodivers Conserv

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Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) inhabit the mountainous regions of High Asia, which experienced serial glacial contraction and expansion during climatic cycles of the Pleistocene. The corresponding impacts of glacial vicariance may have alternately promoted or constrained genetic differentiation to shape the distribution of genetic lineages and population structure. We studied snow leopard phylogeography across High Asia by examining range-wide historical and contemporary genetic structure with mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers. We genotyped 182 individuals from across snow leopard range and sequenced portions of the mitogenome in a spatially stratified subset of 80 individuals to infer historical biogeographic and contemporary patterns of genetic diversity. We observed a lack of phylogeographic structure, and analyses suggested a single refugial origin for all sampled populations. Molecular data provided tentative evidence of a hypothesized glacial refugia in the Tian Shan-Pamir-Hindu Kush-Karakoram mountain ranges, and detected mixed signatures of population expansion. Concordant assessments of microsatellite data indicated two global genetic populations, though we detected geographic differences between historical and contemporary population structure and connectivity inferred from mitochondrial and microsatellite data, respectively. Using the largest sample size and geographic coverage to date, we demonstrate novel information on the phylogeographic history of snow leopards, and corroborate existing interpretations of snow leopard connectivity and genetic structure. We recommend that conservation efforts incorporate genetic data to define and protect meaningful conservation units and their underlying genetic diversity, and to maintain the snow leopard’s adaptive potential and continued resilience to environmental changes.

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Landscape resistance to gene flow in a snow leopard population from Qilianshan National Park, Gansu, China

et al. 2023

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Genetic diversity and spatial structures of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) reveal proxies of connectivity across Mongolia and northwestern China

Cited by 6 publications

References 88 publications

Natal dispersal and exploratory forays through atypical habitat in the mountain‐bound snow leopard

Natal dispersal and exploratory forays through atypical habitat in the mountain‐bound snow leopard

Snow leopard phylogeography and population structure supports two global populations with single refugial origin

Landscape resistance to gene flow in a snow leopard population from Qilianshan National Park, Gansu, China

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