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Giant pandas: Landscape has big effect on movement of genes within population

Date:
July 26, 2010
Source:
BioMed Central Limited
Summary:
Genetic analysis of giant pandas has shown that features of their landscape have a profound effect on the movement of genes within their population. Researchers found that physical barriers, such as areas lacking bamboo plants and other forest foliage, can separate giant pandas into isolated genetic groups.
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Genetic analysis of giant pandas has shown that features of their landscape have a profound effect on the movement of genes within their population.

Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Genetics found that physical barriers, such as areas lacking bamboo plants and other forest foliage, can separate giant pandas into isolated genetic groups.

Fuwen Wei, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, worked with a team of researchers to study giant pandas in the Xiaoxiangling and Daxiangling mountains. He said, "These results suggest that gene flow will be enhanced if the connectivity between the currently fragmented bamboo forests is increased. This may be of importance to conservation efforts as gene flow is one of the most important factors for maintaining genetic diversity within a species and counteracting the negative effects of habitat fragmentation."

The giant panda is one of the most endangered mammals in the world. This is the first study to demonstrate that there is a relationship between landscape features and gene flow within their population. Wei and his colleagues recovered 192 fecal samples, which were found to come from 53 unique genotypes. These 'genetic signatures' demonstrated signs of fragmentation within the panda population.

The researchers said, "It is vital to reconnect the fragmented habitats and increase the connectivity of bamboo resources within a habitat to restore population viability of the giant panda in these regions."


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Materials provided by BioMed Central Limited. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Lifeng Zhu, Xiangjiang Zhan, Tao Meng, Shanning Zhang and Fuwen Wei. Landscape features influence gene flow as measured by cost-distance and genetic analyses: a case study for giant pandas in the Daxiangling and Xiaoxiangling mountains. BMC Genetics, 2010; (in press) [abstract]

Cite This Page:

BioMed Central Limited. "Giant pandas: Landscape has big effect on movement of genes within population." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 July 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100722205624.htm>.
BioMed Central Limited. (2010, July 26). Giant pandas: Landscape has big effect on movement of genes within population. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 5, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100722205624.htm
BioMed Central Limited. "Giant pandas: Landscape has big effect on movement of genes within population." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100722205624.htm (accessed November 5, 2024).

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