Noninvasive genetic assessment of the population trend and sex ratio of the Shennongjia population of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

Abstract

Effective population management relies on assessments of population size and sex ratio. However, these estimates are difficult to obtain for elusive and rare species. Recently, noninvasive genetic census methods have been developed as an alternative to traditional capture-mark-recapture methods. In this study, we estimated the size of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) population in the Shennongjia Nature Reserve (SNR) using a noninvasive sampling method based on 16 microsatellite loci. We also used a PCR-based genetic method to sex the sampled individuals and infer the population sex ratio. The population size of R. roxellana in the SNR was estimated to be 1044 individuals (95% CI TIRM : 613-1409). The estimated population sex ratio is more female-biased than expected, which we attribute to the sampling biased towards one male units and limited sampling of bachelor male units. Moreover, there is no suggestion that the heavy traffic road through the reserve might block movement of monkeys. The results of this study indicate genetic assessments based on a noninvasive sampling method can provide useful information regarding populations of elusive primates.

Panel of polymorphic heterologous microsatellite loci to genotype critically endangered Bengal tiger: a pilot study

“…scat) is used (Creel et al 2003). But the multiple-tube approach (Navidi et al 1992; Goossens et al 1998) and two-step multiplex PCR method can be used to overcome this problem without compromising the number of loci (Arandjelovic et al 2009; Chang et al 2012), which are crucial for use in studies related to the ecology and biology of a species.

Figure 3 Probability of identity of unrelated individuals (P ID ) and probability of identity of siblings (P ID sibs) in locus combination using selected panel (n = 16).

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A comparative study of the use of tiger-specific and heterologous microsatellite markers for population genetic studies of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

“…However, at the same time, the use of a greater number of loci may introduce more genotyping errors when using non-invasively collected samples of a low-quality source of DNA (Creel et al, 2003). This problem may be minimized by using the multiple-tube approach (Navidi et al, 1992;Goossens et al, 1998) and two-step multiplex PCR method without compromising with number of loci (Arandjelovic et al, 2009;Chang et al, 2012) needed to understand species biology and ecology.…”

Assessment of Habitat Fragmentation and Corridors for an Isolated Subspecies of the Sichuan Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey, Rhinopithecus roxellana hubeiensis

“…Based on previous studies of the habitat requirements, behavior, movement, and population ecology of R. roxellana (Chang et al 2012;Gu et al 2007;Guo et al 2010;He 2010;Li 2007;Liu 2007;Qi et al 2014;Zhang et al 2006), especially those of habitat selection and dispersal of R. roxellana hubeiensis in the Shennongjia area (Chang et al 2011(Chang et al , 2014Li 2004Li , 2006Li , 2007Li , 2010Li et al 2002a, b;Luo et al 2015b;Tang 2014;Xiang et al 2011;Wang 2014), we applied 10 environmental variables, divided into three groups, to the 90 × 90 m grid system (CGIAR International Research Centers 1999; Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences 2002) ( Table I). No high-resolution rasters (Table I).…”

“…Based on previous research on R. roxellana hubeiensis in Shennongjia, we first reclassified all of the environmental variables into maps with integer scores, ranging from 1 to 10, to indicate the habitat quality in each grid cell (Chang et al 2011(Chang et al , 2014Li 2004Li , 2006Li , 2007Li , 2010Li et al 2002a, b;Luo et al 2015b;Tang 2014;Wang 2014;Xiang et al 2011) (Table II). Owing to the lack of quantitative data for some of the variables, we used expert opinion to inform the reclassification process (Clevenger et al 2002;Li et al 2013).…”

“…At present, the distribution of R. roxellana has been reduced to six isolated mountainous regions: Minshan, Qionglai, Daxueshan-Xiaoliangshan, Qinling, North Motianling, and Shennongjia (Li et al 2002a, b;Liu 2007;Xiang et al 2011). Although studies of habitat selection, behavior, dispersal, genetic structure, the genetic relationships among populations, and the impacts of climate change on this species have informed its conservation (Chang et al 2011(Chang et al , 2012(Chang et al , 2014Guo et al 2010;Li 2006Li , 2007Li et al 2001Li et al , 2007Li et al , 2015Luo et al 2012Luo et al , 2015bQi et al 2014;Zhao et al 2010;Zhou et al 2014), few reports have focused on habitat quality, connectivity, and corridor design for R. roxellana, although these factors could have important effects on its survival, reproduction, growth rate, genetic diversity, and population stability (Liu 2007;Luo et al 2015b;Quan and Xie 2002).…”