Genetic differentiation and subspecies development of the giant panda as revealed by DNA fingerprinting.
Over the last 100 years giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) have been separated into six completely isolated mountain ranges. DNA fingerprinting revealed different differentiation patterns in giant pandas, including early-stage, late-stage, recent divergence and recent genetic depression. A separation around 10 000 years ago resulted in highly significant differences in DNA fingerprints and morphological characteristics between Qinling and Sichuan populations. Supported by morphological differences, the genetic data were used to classify the Qinling population as a new subspecies, A. m. qinlingensis, while the Sichuan populations were classified into the original subspecies, A. m. melanoleuca. Thus, the Qinling population deserves management as a separate unit. In the Sichuan populations, two management units were defined, including Qionglai-Minshan and Daxiangling-Xiaoxiangling-Liangshan. Our data suggest urgent measures are needed to establish green corridors between subpopulations in each mountain range to increase gene flow and genetic variation to ensure long-term survival.
College of Life Sciences, State Conservation Center for Gene Resources of Endangered Wildlife, and the Key Laboratory of Conservation Genetics and Reproductive Biology for Endangered Wild Animals of the Ministry of Education, P. R. China.
Qiu-Hong
QH
Wan
Sheng-Guo
SG
Fang
Hua
H
Wu
Tsutomu
T
Fujihara
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D017753:Ecosystem; D014644:Genetic Variation; D001503:Ursidae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*