The existence of a trans-boundary population of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) that inhabits the massifs of Tsagaanshuvuut (Mongolia) - Tsagan-Shibetu (Russia) was determined through non-invasive genetic analysis of scat samples and by studying the structure of territory use by a collared female individual. The genetic analysis included species identification of samples through sequencing of a fragment of the cytochrome b gene and individual identification using a panel of 8 microsatellites. The home range of a female snow leopard marked with a satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) collar was represented by the minimum convex polygon method (MCP) 100, the MCP 95 method and the fixed kernel 95 method. The results revealed insignificant genetic differentiation between snow leopards that inhabit both massifs (minimal fixation index [F ]), and the data testify to the unity of the cross-border group. Moreover, 5 common individuals were identified from Mongolian and Russian territories. This finding clearly shows that their home range includes territories of both countries. In addition, regular movement of a collared snow leopard in Mongolia and Russia confirmed the existence of a cross-border snow leopard group. These data support that trans-boundary conservation is important for snow leopards in both countries. We conclude that it is crucial for Russia to study the northern range of snow leopards in Asia.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1749-4877.12420DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

snow leopard
20
snow leopards
12
existence trans-boundary
8
trans-boundary population
8
snow
8
population snow
8
leopard panthera
8
panthera uncia
8
genetic analysis
8
leopard
5

Similar Publications

First documentation of a jaguar (Panthera onca) with otitis caused by Otobius megnini (Dugés 1883).

Vet Res Commun

January 2025

Departamento de Salud Animal y Medicina Preventiva, Cuerpo Académico de Salud Animal, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México.

Otobius megnini (spinose ear tick) is a cosmopolitan soft tick that parasitizes domestic and wild mammals, as well as humans. The larval and nymphal stages are common parasites that feed on blood inside the canal ears of hosts, while adults are nonfeeding and live off the host. Different nymphal stages of O.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The relationship between locomotion and hindlimb morphology in the leopard (Panthera pardus) using a geometric morphometric approach.

Biol Open

December 2024

School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2000, South Africa.

Felid bone morphology is highly influenced by factors such as locomotion, body size, and foraging behaviour. Understanding how these factors influence bone morphology is important for interpreting the behaviour and ecology of such species. This study aimed to determine the extent to which Panthera pardus (i.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Population density is crucial for wildlife management, particularly in the Russian Far East, where methods like the FMP snow tracking are used to estimate ungulate densities and support Amur tiger conservation.
  • Despite the effectiveness of FMP, reliability issues due to climate change and survey design challenges prompt the exploration of camera traps as an alternative for monitoring prey density, though their potential is still largely untested.
  • A comparative study over three years found that, while both FMP and camera trap methods provided similar prey density estimates, discrepancies in prey biomass calculations highlight the need for caution in management decisions and suggest more research is necessary to improve estimation methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tourist perceptions, motivations and expectations when interacting with African lion () cubs.

Anim Welf

December 2024

Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, 51006 Tartu, Estonia.

Tourism wildlife interactions are controversial, the debate hinging largely on the compromised welfare of the animals used. Despite this, lion cub () interactions are popular, and there is a need to understand what motivates interactors to participate in the activity, their perceptions and expectations. We surveyed the attitudes of 300 visitors to three lion cub interaction facilities in South Africa.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Understanding resource use and dietary niche partitioning in a high-altitude predator guild using seasonal sampling and DNA metabarcoding.

PLoS One

December 2024

Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation of National Forestry and Grassland Administration Beijing, Beijing, China.

Understanding of predator feeding ecology, interactions among co-occurring predator species, and seasonal changes is critical for conservation management given the important role that predators play in shaping their ecosystems, but is lacking for most regions of the world. Dietary studies have demonstrated varying conclusions in the role that resource partitioning plays in the maintenance of predator communities due to complex inter-related factors that may shape prey use. We used DNA metabarcoding on 581 scat samples to determine the dietary composition, similarity, diversity, and niche overlap of eight predator species (Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Tibetan brown bear (Ursus arctos pruinosus), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), Tibetan fox (Vulpes ferrilata), red fox (V.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!