Autosomal and mtDNA Markers Affirm the Distinctiveness of Lions in West and Central Africa.

摘要: The evolutionary history of a species is key for understanding the taxonomy and design effective management strategies conservation. knowledge about phylogenetic position lion (Panthera leo) in West/Central Africa largely based on mitochondrial markers. Previous studies using mtDNA only have shown this region to hold distinct lineage. In addition, anthropogenic factors led strong decline African numbers, thus, conservation value these populations particularly high. Here, we investigate whether autosomal markers are concordant with previously described phylogeographic patterns, confirm unique lion. Analysis 20 microsatellites 1,454 bp DNA 16 representing entire geographic range found congruence both types markers, identifying four clusters: 1) Africa, 2) East 3) Southern 4) India. This not line current taxonomy, as defined by IUCN, which recognizes an Asiatic subspecies. There no indications that genetic diversity lions lower than either or however, given distinction recent declines numbers region, strongly recommend prioritization projects Africa. As taxonomic nomenclature does reflect lion, suggest revision warranted.