Genetic Diversity Of The Captive Red Panda In China And Paternity

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is an endangered species indigenous to Asia. This species is currently under serious threat due to habitat loss, fragmentation and human activities. In China, red pandas have been raised for 60 years in zoos, and more than 300 individuals are distributed in about 47 zoos today. The genetic diversity of red panda in zoos was studied only by a few institutes, including Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Captive red panda populations in other zoos of China, however, remain uninvestigated. The international red panda studbook was established in 1978. The Chinese red panda studbook was established in 1998, in which some pedigree information, up to now, is unclear due to uncertainty of paternity, missing offspring original records, and lack of visible individual identification.Microsatellites have been widely used in genetic diversity analysis for endangered species because it shows not only rich polymorphism, but also Mendelian Law inheritance patterns. In this study,116 red panda samples were collected from 11 red panda captive populations in different zoos, about one third of the red panda populations in China, including Fuzhou Giant Panda Research Center, Wuxi Zoo, Shanghai Zoo, Beijing Zoo, Panyu Chimelong Xiangjiang Safari Park, Guangzhou Zoo, Chongqing Zoo, Dazu Feedlot, Mianning Feedlot, Huangshan Zoo, and Wenling Zoo. Base on microsatellite markers, genetic diversity and structure of the population samples were assessed. In addition, paternity identification was measured with the samples of Fuzhou population. The genetic pedigree of Fuzhou captive red pandas was established. The main findings are as follows:1. The mean number of alleles, expected heterozygosity, observed heterozygosity and of captive population (N=116) were 9.3,0.730,0.719 respectively. The wild population (N=105), which were studied by Hu Yibo, were 9.2,0.719, and 0.679 respectively. These two populations had high genetic diversity. High genetic diversity among the 11 populations were revealed, with mean allelic richness varying from 3.505 (Beijing) to 4.026(Mianning), and the expected heterozygosity varying from 0.631 (Huangshan) to 0.782 (Wenling). In particular, significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found in populations of Fuzhou and Wuxi. Thus, in order to avoid inbreeding and to maintain a high genetic diversity in captive red pandas, great attention should be paid to developing a proper and scientific breeding program in the heredity management, rather than introducing individuals from the wild.2. The fixation index (FST) across of samples is 0.055, indicating a low genetic differentiation among the 11 populations, with 5.5% inter-population variation and 94.5% conspecific individual variation.3. All the 11 populations could be divided into 2 clusters according to microsatellite-based clustering analysis, while some individuals from Fuzhou population were formed a separate cluster.4. Cervus parental simulation was adopted to assess the reliability analysis. When the mother-child relationship was known, the combined paternity exclusion probability of the 19 loci is 0.99999968. Genotype reliability test of the 19 loci in 6 offspring, whom parents were recorded, were revealed that the genotypes of 19 loci of offsprings and parents completely comply with Mendelian Law, and paternity was determined by only 7 loci. The biological fathers of 15 offsprings from the Fuzhou captive population were identified successfully.5. Paternity identification showed that each litter had only a single father by genotype comparison,7 twins in the Fuzhou population were all found to be dizygotic twins. Exception of two individuals (920#and 921#), all other offspring from the Fuzhou population were sired by two males (487# and 898#), indicating different reproductive success rates.Our findings have practical significance for strengthening the management of endangered animal populations and for designing scientific breeding plans.