title: Implications of spatial genetic patterns for conserving African leopards.
abstract: The leopard (Panthera pardus) is heavily persecuted in areas where it predates livestock and threatens human well-being. Attempts to resolve human-leopard conflict typically involve translocating problem animals; however, these interventions are rarely informed by genetic studies and can unintentionally compromise the natural spatial genetic structure and diversity, and possibly the long-term persistence, of the species. No significant genetic discontinuities were definable within the southern African leopard population. Analysis of fine-scale genetic data derived from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA revealed that the primary natural process shaping the spatial genetic structure of the species is isolation-by-distance (IBD). The effective gene dispersal (σ) index can inform leopard translocations and is estimated to be 82 km for some South African leopards. The importance of adopting an evidence-based strategy is discussed for supporting the integration of genetic data, spatial planning and social learning institutions so as to promote collaboration between land managers, government agency staff and researchers.
authors: Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs-Hendon, London NW4 4BT, United Kingdom; Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Electronic address: a.ropiquet@mdx.ac.uk.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Ropiquet
authors: Division of Ecology and Evolution, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, United Kingdom; Department of Botany, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa; Centre of Excellence in Environmental Decisions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4972, Brisbane, Australia.
authors: Andrew T
authors: AT
authors: Knight
authors: Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; UMR 5175, 1919, route de Mende, Montpellier 34293 cedex 5, France.
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Born
authors: The Cape Leopard Trust, PO Box 1118, Sun Valley, Cape Town 7985, South Africa.
authors: Quinton
authors: Q
authors: Martins
authors: PANTHERA, 8 West 40th Street, 18th Fl, NY 10018, USA.
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Balme
authors: University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, 5006 Bergen, Norway.
authors: Lawrence
authors: L
authors: Kirkendall
authors: PANTHERA, 8 West 40th Street, 18th Fl, NY 10018, USA.
authors: Luke
authors: L
authors: Hunter
authors: PO Box 632, 3170 Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
authors: Charl
authors: C
authors: Senekal
authors: Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
authors: Conrad A
authors: CA
authors: Matthee
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D046009:Panthera / Q000235:genetics*; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: Effective genetic distance; Genetic diversity; Human–wildlife conflict; Isolation-by-distance; Leopard; Panthera pardus; Translocation