Genetic structure of fragmented southern populations of African Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer)

Smitz Nathalie, Cornélis Daniel, Chardonnet Philippe, Caron Alexandre, De Garine-Wichatitsky Michel, Jori Ferran, Mouton Alice, Latinne Alice, Pigneur Lise-Marie, Melletti Mario, Kanapeckas Kimberly L., Marescaux Jonathan, Lopes Pereira Carlos, Michaux Johan. 2014. Genetic structure of fragmented southern populations of African Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer). BMC Evolutionary Biology, 14 (203), 19 p.

Quartile : Q2, Sujet : GENETICS & HEREDITY / Quartile : Q2, Sujet : EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

Résumé : Background: African wildlife experienced a reduction in population size and geographical distribution over the last millennium, particularly since the 19th century as a result of human demographic expansion, wildlife overexploitation, habitat degradation and cattle-borne diseases. In many areas, ungulate populations are now largely confined within a network of loosely connected protected areas. These metapopulations face gene flow restriction and run the risk of genetic diversity erosion. In this context, we assessed the "genetic health" of free ranging southern African Cape buffalo populations (S.c. caffer) and investigated the origins of their current genetic structure. The analyses were based on 264 samples from 6 southern African countries that were genotyped for 14 autosomal and 3 Y-chromosomal microsatellites. Results: The analyses differentiated three significant genetic clusters, hereafter referred to as Northern (N), Central (C) and Southern (S) clusters. The results suggest that splitting of the N and C clusters occurred around 6000 to 8400 years ago. Both N and C clusters displayed high genetic diversity (mean allelic richness (Ar) of 7.217, average genetic diversity over loci of 0.594, mean private alleles (Pa) of 11), low differentiation, and an absence of an inbreeding depression signal (mean FIS = 0.037). The third (S) cluster, a tiny population enclosed within a small isolated protected area, likely originated from a more recent isolation and experienced genetic drift (FIS = 0.062, mean Ar = 6.160, Pa = 2). This study also highlighted the impact of translocations between clusters on the genetic structure of several African buffalo populations. Lower differentiation estimates were observed between C and N sampling localities that experienced translocation over the last century. Conclusions: We showed that the current genetic structure of southern African Cape buffalo populations results from both ancient and recent processes. The splitting time of N and C clusters suggests that the current pattern results from human-induced factors and/or from the aridification process that occurred during the Holocene period. The more recent S cluster genetic drift probably results of processes that occurred over the last centuries (habitat fragmentation, diseases). Management practices of African buffalo populations should consider the micro-evolutionary changes highlighted in the present study.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : buffle africain, génétique des populations, distribution géographique, conservation des ressources génétiques, phylogénie, marqueur génétique, microsatellite, translocation, génotype, évolution

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Afrique australe, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Afrique du Sud, Mozambique, Zambie, Angola

Classification Agris : L10 - Génétique et amélioration des animaux
L60 - Taxonomie et géographie animales
P01 - Conservation de la nature et ressources foncières

Champ stratégique Cirad : Axe 6 (2014-2018) - Sociétés, natures et territoires

Auteurs et affiliations

• Smitz Nathalie, Université de Liège (BEL)
• Cornélis Daniel, CIRAD-ES-UPR AGIRs (FRA)
• Chardonnet Philippe, International Foundation for the Conservation of the Wildlife (FRA)
• Caron Alexandre, CIRAD-ES-UPR AGIRs (ZWE) ORCID: 0000-0002-5213-3273
• De Garine-Wichatitsky Michel, CIRAD-ES-UPR AGIRs (ZWE) ORCID: 0000-0002-5438-1473
• Jori Ferran, CIRAD-ES-UPR AGIRs (BWA) ORCID: 0000-0001-5451-7767
• Mouton Alice, Université de Liège (BEL)
• Latinne Alice, Université de Liège (BEL)
• Pigneur Lise-Marie, University of Namur (BEL)
• Melletti Mario
• Kanapeckas Kimberly L., University of Pretoria (ZAF)
• Marescaux Jonathan, University of Namur (BEL)
• Lopes Pereira Carlos, Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
• Michaux Johan, Université de Liège (BEL)

Source : Cirad - Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/574440/)

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