Abstract:
The white-bellied pangolin is subject to intense trafficking, feeding both local and international trade networks. In order to assess its population genetics and trace its domestic trade, we genotyped 562 pangolins from local to large bushmeat markets in western central Africa. We show that the two lineages described from the study region (WCA and Gab) were overlapping in ranges, with limited introgression in southern Cameroon. There was a lack of genetic differentiation across WCA and a significant signature of isolation-by-distance possibly due to unsuspected dispersal capacities involving a Wahlund effect. We detected a c. 74.1-82.5% decline in the effective population size of WCA during the Middle Holocene. Private allele frequency tracing approach indicated up to 600 km sourcing distance by large urban markets from Cameroon, including Equatorial Guinea. The 20 species-specific microsatellite loci provided individual-level genotyping resolution and should be considered as valuable resources for future forensic applications. Because admixture was detected between lineages, we recommend a multi-locus approach for tracing the pangolin trade. The Yaoundé market was the main hub of the trade in the region, and thus should receive specific monitoring to mitigate pangolins\' domestic trafficking. Our study also highlighted the weak implementation of CITES regulations at European borders.
摘要:
白腹穿山甲被大量贩卖,供养本地和国际贸易网络。为了评估其种群遗传学并追踪其国内贸易,我们对中部非洲西部从当地到大型丛林肉市场的562只穿山甲进行了基因分型。我们表明,从研究区域(WCA和Gab)描述的两个谱系在范围上重叠,在喀麦隆南部有有限的渗入。在整个WCA中缺乏遗传分化,并且可能由于涉及Wahlund效应的意外扩散能力而导致远距离隔离的显着特征。我们检测到c。全新世中期WCA的有效种群数量下降了74.1-82.5%。私人等位基因频率追踪方法表明,喀麦隆大型城市市场的采购距离高达600公里,包括赤道几内亚。20个特定物种的微卫星基因座提供了个体水平的基因分型分辨率,应被视为未来法医应用的宝贵资源。因为在谱系之间检测到混合物,我们建议采用多地点方法追踪穿山甲贸易。雅温得市场是该地区贸易的主要枢纽,因此,应接受具体监测,以减轻穿山甲的国内贩运。我们的研究还强调了CITES法规在欧洲边界的执行不力。