Population genetics of the felid Leopardus guigna in Southern South America: Identifying intraspecific units for conservation

Book Title

Molecular Population Genetics, Phylogenetics, Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of the Neotropical Carnivores

Authors

Constanza Napolitano, Universidad de Chile
James Sanderson, Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation
Warren E. Johnson, National Cancer Institute
Stephen J. O’Brien, National Cancer Institute
A. Rus Hoelzel, Durham University
Rachel Freer, Durham University; FPCR Environment & Design Ltd.
Nigel Dunstone, Durham University; Natural History New Zealand
Kermit Ritland, University of British Columbia
Elie Poulin, Universidad de Chile

Document Type

Book Chapter

ISBN

978-60876-633-8

Publication Date

3-2012

Editors

Manuel Ruiz-García and Joseph Shostell

Keywords

Leopardus guigna, genetic structure, subspecies, Conservation Units

Description

[Chapter Abstract] We investigate the genetic diversity and structure of guigna populations throughout their known distribution range by analyzing 1,798 bp of the mtDNA and 15 microsatellite loci in 116 individuals sampled from 32.5°S to 46.5°S in Chile and Argentina. MtDNA data reveals a moderate separation between northern and southern populations, supporting previously proposed subspecific partitions. Microsatellite data supports this north–south pattern of subdivision, showing also further structure detail revealing current demographically isolated groups. Spatial analysis of molecular variance shows a finer scale yet consistent population structure compared to the genetic assignment and clustering method. High positive correlations between genetic and geographic distances in both mtDNA and microsatellite loci suggest a consistent historical and contemporary isolation by distance pattern. The population structure uncovered by this study identifies at least five different Conservation Units for guigna populations throughout their distribution range in southern South America.

Publisher

Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Additional Information

© 2012 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Disciplines

Biology

NSUWorks Citation

Napolitano, Constanza; James Sanderson; Warren E. Johnson; Stephen J. O’Brien; A. Rus Hoelzel; Rachel Freer; Nigel Dunstone; Kermit Ritland; and Elie Poulin. (2012). Population genetics of the felid Leopardus guigna in Southern South America: Identifying intraspecific units for conservation. In Manuel Ruiz-García and Joseph Shostell (Eds.), Molecular Population Genetics, Phylogenetics, Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of the Neotropical Carnivores .

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