Genetic diversity, evolutionary history and implications for conservation of the lion (Panthera leo) in West and Central Africa

Abstract

Aim In recent decades there has been a marked decline in the numbers of African lions (Panthera leo), especially in West Africa where the species is regionally endangered. Based on the climatological history of western Africa, we hypothesize that West and Central African lions have a unique evolutionary history, which is reflected by their genetic makeup. Location Sub‐Saharan Africa and India, with special focus on West and Central Africa. Method In this study 126 samples, throughout the lion’s complete geographic range, were subjected to phylogenetic analyses. DNA sequences of a mitochondrial region, containing cytochrome b, tRNAPro, tRNAThr and the left part of the control region, were analysed. Results Bayesian, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses consistently showed a distinction between lions from West and Central Africa and lions from southern and East Africa. West and Central African lions are more closely related to Asiatic lions than to the southern and East African lions. This can be explained by a Pleistocene extinction and subsequent recolonization of West Africa from refugia in the Middle East. This is further supported by the fact that the West and Central African clade shows relatively little genetic diversity and is therefore thought to be an evolutionarily young clade. Main conclusions The taxonomic division between an African and an Asian subspecies does not fully reflect the overall genetic diversity within lions. In order to conserve genetic diversity within the species, genetically distinct lineages should be prioritized. Understanding the geographic pattern of genetic diversity is key to developing conservation strategies, both for in situ management and for breeding of captive stocks.

Potential for camera-traps and spatial mark-resight models to improve monitoring of the critically endangered West African lion (Panthera leo)

“…Although classified as ''Vulnerable'' by the IUCN Red List (2013), lions in southern and eastern Africa have more genetically diverse and demographically stable populations compared to the geographically isolated populations in western Africa (Nowell and Jackson 1996;Chardonnet 2002;Bertola et al 2011). Lions in the western portion of the range are believed to face even greater threats due to increased habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal hunting, and depletion of their prey base (Bauer and Van Der Merwe 2004;Sogbohoussou 2011;Henschel et al 2014).…”

The size of savannah Africa: a lion’s (Panthera leo) view

“…In view of reported declines, it still does not qualify as a stronghold. Populations in these regions are genetically distinct (Antunes et al 2008;Bertola et al 2011). Keeping these populations from extinction will require conservation efforts well beyond the dismal performance of the region's other protected areas.…”

“…(This compares to Cahoon et al's (1992) estimate of *10 million km once lived across Eurasia, but now only a remnant population of a different subspecies (Panthera leo persica) survives in India. Recent research has demonstrated that the lion in West and Central Africa is genetically different from the lion in East and Southern Africa and more closely resembles Asiatic populations (Bertola et al 2011). Nonetheless, we consider just African populations and do so without distinction.…”

Analyse de situation de l'UICN concernant la faune terrestre et d'eau douce en Afrique centrale et de l'Ouest

“…L'aire de répartition confirmée de cette espèce est estimée à 49 000 km² soit 1,1 % de son aire de répartition historique en Afrique de l'Ouest. L'importance de la conservation des animaux restants a été soulignée par des recherches démontrant leurs caractéristiques distinctes par rapport aux autres lions présents en Afrique, en termes de craniométrie (Mazak 2010) et de génétique moléculaire (Bertola et al 2011, Dubach et al 2013 Figure S2.5, Tableau S2.7).…”