Population structure and demographic history of two highly-trafficked species of pangolin in the Congo Basin

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11310%2F24%3A10490469" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11310/24:10490469 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/60460709:41330/24:101064 RIV/60460709:41340/24:101064 RIV/61988987:17310/24:A2503ALC

Result on the web

<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=_7benLFKz2" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=_7benLFKz2</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68928-0" target="_blank" >10.1038/s41598-024-68928-0</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Population structure and demographic history of two highly-trafficked species of pangolin in the Congo Basin

Original language description

African pangolins are hunted for their meat and for use in local traditional medicine, as well as for their scales, which are trafficked internationally, especially to growing Asian markets. Pangolin&apos;s population genetic structure can be used to trace the geographic origins of trafficked scales, but substantial sampling gaps across pangolins&apos; ranges hinder these efforts. In this study, we documented population structure and dynamics in the two species of African pangolin, the white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) and the giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) in the underexplored Republic of Congo. Using the mitochondrial control region and two nuclear markers (beta-fibrinogen and titin), we identified high genetic diversity in both species. We document a distinct mitochondrial lineage of the white-bellied pangolin, which was most likely shaped by river barriers together with dynamics of forest refugia related to the climatic shifts during the Pleistocene. We detected population growth in the white-bellied pangolin coinciding with a dry period during the Pleistocene, suggesting some ability for this typically forest-dwelling species to persist under diverse environmental conditions. Using landscape genetics, we found all but one of the pangolins we sampled at bush meat markets originated locally. A single individual appeared to have been imported to Congo from Cameroon. These findings significantly contribute to our understanding of pangolin population biology and local trade dynamics. In addition, our data from a previously unstudied part of pangolins&apos; ranges will help us to better understand international wildlife trafficking patterns and to target conservation and protection strategies for these highly vulnerable species.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10613 - Zoology

Project

<a href="/en/project/VK01010103" target="_blank" >VK01010103: Methodology of identification and other forensic analyses of biological materials and pathogens from wild and exotic animals.</a><br>

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Scientific Reports

ISSN

2045-2322

e-ISSN

2045-2322

Volume of the periodical

14

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

11

Pages from-to

22177

UT code for WoS article

001354536300226

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85205275424