Genetic Variation in the Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul) in Zoo-Managed and Wild Populations

Author:

Robinson Joshua J.1ORCID,Crichlow Alexis D.2,Hacker Charlotte E.3,Munkhtsog Bariushaa45,Munkhtsog Bayaraa46,Zhang Yuguang7ORCID,Swanson William F.8ORCID,Lyons Leslie A.9,Janecka Jan E.1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA

2. Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA

3. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Affairs, Division of Scientific Authority, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, USA

4. Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 13380, Mongolia

5. Irbis Mongolia Center, Ulaanbaatar 13380, Mongolia

6. Wildlife Institute, College of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China

7. Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China

8. Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA

9. Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

Abstract

The Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) is one of the most understudied taxa in the Felidae family. The species is currently assessed as being of “Least Concern” in the IUCN Red List, but this assessment is based on incomplete data. Additional ecological and genetic information is necessary for the long-term in situ and ex situ conservation of this species. We identified 29 microsatellite loci with sufficient diversity to enable studies into the individual identification, population structure, and phylogeography of Pallas’s cats. These microsatellites were genotyped on six wild Pallas’s cats from the Tibet Autonomous Region and Mongolia and ten cats from a United States zoo-managed population that originated in Russia and Mongolia. Additionally, we examined diversity in a 91 bp segment of the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (MT-RNR1) locus and a hypoxia-related gene, endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1). Based on the microsatellite and MT-RNR1 loci, we established that the Pallas’s cat displays moderate genetic diversity. Intriguingly, we found that the Pallas’s cats had one unique nonsynonymous substitution in EPAS1 not present in snow leopards (Panthera uncia) or domestic cats (Felis catus). The analysis of the zoo-managed population indicated reduced genetic diversity compared to wild individuals. The genetic information from this study is a valuable resource for future research into and the conservation of the Pallas’s cat.

Funder

NSF REU Site Award

Publisher

MDPI AG

Reference60 articles.

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2. Ross, S. (2009). Providing an Ecological Basis for the Conservation of the Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul). [Ph.D. Thesis, University of Bristol].

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4. Ross, S., Barashkova, A., Dhendup, T., Munkhtsog, B., Smelansky, I., Barclay, D., and Moqanaki, E. (2022, November 11). Otocolobus manul (errata version published in 2020). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available online: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342945167_Otocolobus_manul_errata_version_published_in_2020_The_IUCN_Red_List_of_Threatened_Species.

5. Prologue: Why care about Otocolobus manul?;Lanz;Cat News,2019

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