Molecular analysis of dispersal in giant pandas

Abstract

Although dispersal in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a demographic mechanism which can potentially counteract the negative effect of habitat fragmentation, little is known about dispersal in this species because of difficulties in observing individuals. Using data from faecal microsatellite genotyping, we compared the spatial distribution of giant pandas in two populations and the proximity of relatives in one key population to infer their dispersal pattern. We conclude that giant pandas exhibit female-biased dispersal because: (i) vAIc (variance of assignment index) for females was significantly larger than for males, suggesting that females comprise both 'local' and 'foreign' genotypes; (ii) the average spatial distance of related female dyads was significantly larger than that of males; (iii) larger r (relatedness), F(ST) (genetic variance among populations) and mAIc (mean of assignment index) values were found in males using the software FSTAT, although the differences were not significant; (iv) males set up territories neighbouring to their birth place; (v) significant population structure using microsatellites with a concomitant lack of mitochondrial structure was found in a previous study, possibly indicating more extensive female dispersal; and (vi) female-biased dispersal was strongly supported by evidence from concomitant ecological studies. Considering previous ecological data and life-history characteristics of the giant panda, female-biased dispersal is most likely to be due to competition for birth dens among females, inbreeding avoidance and enhancing inclusive fitness among related males.

Microsatellite variability reveals high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation in a critical giant panda population

“…Suitable habitat provides giant pandas with key resources (Schaller et al, 1985;Wei et al, 2000;Hu, 2001;Pan et al, 2001). Previous research suggests that abundant bamboo, suitable birth dens and old growth forests may be important survival factors for wild giant pandas (Yong et al, 2004;Zhan et al, 2007). Since the reserve's establishment in the 1970s, the State Forestry Administration took effective measures to enforce farmer migration out of the reserve and ban intra-reserve human activities such as logging, farming, poaching, grazing and mining (Hu, 2005).…”

Microsatellite variability reveals significant genetic differentiation of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in the Minshan A habitat

“…In order to minimize the genotyping error, we used the multi-tube genotyping approach (Zhan et al, 2006). Individual identification was performed according to the microsatellite genotype (Zhan et al, 2006(Zhan et al, , 2007.…”

“…The area is segmented into three small and isolated habitats because of Pingwu-jiuzhaigou and Pingwu-Huanglong road constuction and relevant human activites close to road (Gong et al, 2003;State Forestry Administration, 2006). Zhan et al (2007) reported that apparent genetic divergence was also detected between the Wanglang/Baima and Huanglong populations in the Minshan A habitat due to the road construction. This indicates that the current conservation status of the giant panda habitat in the Minshan A region is not optimistic.…”

“…In previous studies, various kinds of molecular genetic were used to assess the giant panda's genetic diversity patterns and examine its evolutionary process (Zhang and Su, 1997;Lü et al, 2001;Zhan et al, 2007;Zhang et al, 2007;He et al, 2008). Recently, research indicates that microsatellite markers can be successfully amplified from fecal samples and could be used to accurately identify individuals, census the population and evaluate population genetic status Zhan et al, 2006;Zhang et al, 2007;Cronin et al, 2009 Although, Minshan A habitat may be threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, there have been few efforts to evaluate the effects of habitat fragmentation on population genetic structure of giant pandas.…”

Thirty-three microsatellite loci for noninvasive genetic studies of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

“…However, because the giant panda lives in bamboo forests, it is difficult to obtain the information on dispersal patterns and mating systems of this species by direct observation of the behavior of individuals. In recent years, with the development of many new statistical methods for analyzing kin relationships from molecular data, it is possible to infer dispersal patterns and mating systems of species by analyzing the spatial distribution of molecular genotypes and constructing pedigree of individuals of natural populations (Blouin 2003;Zhan et al 2007).…”