title: Individual identification and genetic variation of lions (Panthera leo) from two protected areas in Nigeria.
abstract: This survey was conducted in two protected areas in Nigeria to genetically identify individual lions and to determine the genetic variation within and between the populations. We used faecal sample DNA, a non-invasive alternative to the risky and laborious task of taking samples directly from the animals, often preceded by catching and immobilization. Data collection in Yankari Game Reserve (YGR) spanned through a period of five years (2008 -2012), whereas data in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) was gathered for a period of three years (2009, 2010 and 2012). We identified a minimum of eight individuals (2 males, 3 females, 3 unknown) from YGR and a minimum of ten individuals (7 males, 3 females) from KLNP. The two populations were found to be genetically distinct as shown by the relatively high fixation index (FST  = 0.17) with each population exhibiting signs of inbreeding (YGR FIS  = 0.49, KLNP FIS  = 0.38). The genetic differentiation between the Yankari and Kainji lions is assumed to result from large spatial geographic distance and physical barriers reducing gene flow between these two remaining wild lion populations in Nigeria. To mitigate the probable inbreeding depression in the lion populations within Nigeria it might be important to transfer lions between parks or reserves or to reintroduce lions from the zoos back to the wild.
authors.affiliation: A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria ; Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Talatu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tende
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hansson
authors.affiliation: A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ottosson
authors.affiliation: Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akesson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Staffan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bensch
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D005260:Female; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005843:Geography; D007178:Inbreeding; D008045:Lions / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D009549:Nigeria
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial