Evaluation of Microsatellite Markers for Populations Studies and Forensic Identification of African Lions (Panthera leo)

摘要: The South African lion (Panthera leo) population is highly fragmented. One-third of its wild lions occur in small (<1000 km 2 ) reserves. These were reintroduced from other areas the species’ historical range. Management practices on these reserves have not prioritized genetic provenance or heterozygosity. trends potentially constrain conservation value lions. To ensure best management and long-term survival subpopulations as a viable collective population, current diversity must be described. Concurrently, poaching to supply growing market for bones Asia may become serious challenge future. Having standardized, validated method matching confiscated parts with carcasses will key tool investigating crimes. We evaluated 28 microsatellites using samples 18 1 captive facility Africa, two conservancies Zimbabwe, Kruger National Kgalagadi Transfrontier Parks determine loci most suited forensic applications. Twelve microsatellite match probability 1.1 × 10 −5 between