Genetic censusing identifies an unexpectedly sizeable population of an endangered large mammal in a fragmented forest landscape

摘要: As habitat degradation and fragmentation continue to impact wildlife populations around the world, it is critical understand behavioral flexibility of species in these environments. In Uganda, mostly unprotected forest fragment landscape between Budongo Bugoma Forests a potential corridor for chimpanzees, yet little known about status chimpanzee fragments. From 2011 through 2013, we noninvasively collected 865 fecal samples across 633 km2 successfully genotyped 662 (77%) at up 14 microsatellite loci. These genotypes corresponded 182 with mean 3.5 captures per individual. We obtained population size estimates 256 (95% confidence interval 246–321) 319 (288–357) chimpanzees using capture-with-replacement spatially explicit capture–recapture models, respectively. The spatial clustering associated suggests presence least nine communities containing minimum 8–33 individuals each. Putative community distributions defined by locations correspond well distribution Y-chromosome haplotypes. census figures are more than three times greater previous estimate based on an extrapolation from small-scale nest count surveys that tend underestimate size. genotype clusters haplotypes together indicate numerous male philopatric throughout habitat. Our findings demonstrate that, despite extensive loss fragmentation, remain widely distributed exhibit distinct home ranges. results further imply elusive rare may adapt degraded habitats previously believed. Their long-term persistence unlikely, however, if protection not afforded them continues unabated.