Assessing current genetic status of the Hainan gibbon using historical and demographic baselines: implications for conservation management of species of extreme rarity.
Evidence-based conservation planning is crucial for informing management decisions for species of extreme rarity, but collection of robust data on genetic status or other parameters can be extremely challenging for such species. The Hainan gibbon, possibly the world's rarest mammal, consists of a single population of ~25 individuals restricted to one protected area on Hainan Island, China, and has persisted for over 30 years at exceptionally low population size. Analysis of genotypes at 11 microsatellite loci from faecal samples for 36% of the current global population and tissue samples from 62% of existing historical museum specimens demonstrates limited current genetic diversity (Na = 2.27, Ar = 2.24, He  = 0.43); diversity has declined since the 19th century and even further within the last 30 years, representing declines of ~30% from historical levels (Na = 3.36, Ar = 3.29, He  = 0.63). Significant differentiation is seen between current and historical samples (FST  = 0.156, P = 0.0315), and the current population exhibits extremely small Ne (current Ne  = 2.16). There is evidence for both a recent population bottleneck and an earlier bottleneck, with population size already reasonably low by the late 19th century (historical Ne  = 1162.96). Individuals in the current population are related at the level of half- to full-siblings between social groups, and full-siblings or parent-offspring within a social group, suggesting that inbreeding is likely to increase in the future. The species' current reduced genetic diversity must be considered during conservation planning, particularly for expectations of likely population recovery, indicating that intensive, carefully planned management is essential.
Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.|Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
J V
JV
Bryant
Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
D
D
Gottelli
Bawangling National Nature Reserve Management Office, Changjiang Lizu Autonomous County, Hainan, 572722, China.
X
X
Zeng
Bawangling National Nature Reserve Management Office, Changjiang Lizu Autonomous County, Hainan, 572722, China.
X
X
Hong
Kadoorie Conservation China, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong.
B P L
BP
Chan
The Kadoorie Institute, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
J R
JR
Fellowes
Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China.|College of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
Y
Y
Zhang
College of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
J
J
Luo
Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
C
C
Durrant
Anthropological Institute, University Zurich-Irchel, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, CH-8057, Switzerland.
T
T
Geissmann
Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
H J
HJ
Chatterjee
Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK.
S T
ST
Turvey
D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D056727:Endangered Species; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005838:Genotype; D006922:Hylobates / Q000235:genetics*; D062312:Islands; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats
Critically Endangered; Nomascus hainanus; bottleneck; conservation genetics; ghost alleles