Genetic diversity of lion populations in Kenya: Evaluating past management practices and recommendations for future conservation actions
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Genetic diversity of lion populations in Kenya : Evaluating past management practices and recommendations for future conservation actions. / Chege, Mumbi; Sewalt, Bobbie; Lesilau, Francis; de Snoo, Geert; Patterson, Bruce D.; Kariuki, Linus; Otiende, Moses; Omondi, Patrick; de Iongh, Hans; Vrieling, K.; Bertola, Laura D.
In: Evolutionary Applications, Vol. 17, No. 3, e13676, 2024.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Genetic diversity of lion populations in Kenya
T2 - Evaluating past management practices and recommendations for future conservation actions
AU - Chege, Mumbi
AU - Sewalt, Bobbie
AU - Lesilau, Francis
AU - de Snoo, Geert
AU - Patterson, Bruce D.
AU - Kariuki, Linus
AU - Otiende, Moses
AU - Omondi, Patrick
AU - de Iongh, Hans
AU - Vrieling, K.
AU - Bertola, Laura D.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - The decline of lions (Panthera leo) in Kenya has raised conservation concerns about their overall population health and long-term survival. This study aimed to assess the genetic structure, differentiation and diversity of lion populations in the country, while considering the influence of past management practices. Using a lion-specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) panel, we genotyped 171 individuals from 12 populations representative of areas with permanent lion presence. Our results revealed a distinct genetic pattern with pronounced population structure, confirmed a north-south split and found no indication of inbreeding in any of the tested populations. Differentiation seems to be primarily driven by geographical barriers, human presence and climatic factors, but management practices may have also affected the observed patterns. Notably, the Tsavo population displayed evidence of admixture, perhaps attributable to its geographic location as a suture zone, vast size or past translocations, while the fenced populations of Lake Nakuru National Park and Solio Ranch exhibited reduced genetic diversity due to restricted natural dispersal. The Amboseli population had a high number of monomorphic loci likely reflecting a historical population decline. This illustrates that patterns of genetic diversity should be seen in the context of population histories and that future management decisions should take these insights into account. To address the conservation implications of our findings, we recommend prioritizing the maintenance of suitable habitats to facilitate population connectivity. Initiation of genetic restoration efforts and separately managing populations with unique evolutionary histories is crucial for preserving genetic diversity and promoting long-term population viability.
AB - The decline of lions (Panthera leo) in Kenya has raised conservation concerns about their overall population health and long-term survival. This study aimed to assess the genetic structure, differentiation and diversity of lion populations in the country, while considering the influence of past management practices. Using a lion-specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) panel, we genotyped 171 individuals from 12 populations representative of areas with permanent lion presence. Our results revealed a distinct genetic pattern with pronounced population structure, confirmed a north-south split and found no indication of inbreeding in any of the tested populations. Differentiation seems to be primarily driven by geographical barriers, human presence and climatic factors, but management practices may have also affected the observed patterns. Notably, the Tsavo population displayed evidence of admixture, perhaps attributable to its geographic location as a suture zone, vast size or past translocations, while the fenced populations of Lake Nakuru National Park and Solio Ranch exhibited reduced genetic diversity due to restricted natural dispersal. The Amboseli population had a high number of monomorphic loci likely reflecting a historical population decline. This illustrates that patterns of genetic diversity should be seen in the context of population histories and that future management decisions should take these insights into account. To address the conservation implications of our findings, we recommend prioritizing the maintenance of suitable habitats to facilitate population connectivity. Initiation of genetic restoration efforts and separately managing populations with unique evolutionary histories is crucial for preserving genetic diversity and promoting long-term population viability.
KW - connectivity
KW - conservation genetics
KW - diversity
KW - SNP
KW - translocation
U2 - 10.1111/eva.13676
DO - 10.1111/eva.13676
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 38505216
AN - SCOPUS:85188275238
VL - 17
JO - Evolutionary Applications
JF - Evolutionary Applications
SN - 1752-4563
IS - 3
M1 - e13676
ER -
ID: 387031864