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The giant panda is an example of a species that has faced extensive
historical habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbance, and is
assumed to be isolated in numerous subpopulations with limited gene flow
between them. To investigate the population size, health and connectivity
of pandas in a key habitat area, we noninvasively collected a total of 539
fresh wild giant panda fecal samples for DNA extraction within Wolong
Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China. Seven validated tetra-microsatellite
markers were used to analyze each sample, and a total of 142 unique
genotypes were identified. Non-spatial and spatial capture-recapture
models estimated the population size of the reserve at 164 and 137
individuals (95% confidence intervals 153-175 and 115-163), respectively.
Relatively high levels of genetic variation and low levels of inbreeding
were estimated, indicating adequate genetic diversity. Surprisingly, no
significant genetic boundaries were found within the population despite
the national road G350 that bisects the reserve, which is also bordered
with patches of development and agricultural land. We attribute this to
high rates of migration, with 4 giant panda road-crossing events confirmed
within a year based on repeated captures of individuals. This likely means
that giant panda populations within mountain ranges are better connected
than previously thought. Increased development and tourism traffic in the
area and throughout the current panda distribution poses a threat of
increasing population isolation, however. Maintaining and restoring
adequate habitat corridors for dispersal is thus a vital step for
preserving the levels of gene flow seen in our analysis and the continued
conservation of the giant panda meta-population in both Wolong and
throughout their current range.
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