The Genetic Status of the Critically Endangered Hainan Gibbon (Nomascus hainanus): A Species Moving Toward Extinction

Frontiers in Genetics

Yanqing Guo¹  Paul A. Garber²  Ning Xiao³  Tao Liu⁴  Gang Li⁴  Jiang Zhou⁴  Ling Han⁴  Jiang Chang⁵ 

[1] College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China;Department of Anthropology, Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Urbana, IL, United States;Guiyang Nursing Vacational College, Guiyang, China;School of Karst Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China;State Key Laboratory of Environment Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China;

关键词: critically endangered;    genetic status;    population size;    Hainan gibbon;    conservation;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fgene.2020.608633

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus), once widespread across Hainan, China, is now found only in the Bawangling National Nature Reserve. With a remaining population size of 33 individuals, it is the world’s rarest primate. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the primary drivers of Hainan gibbon population decline. In this study, we integrated data based on field investigations and genotype analyses of 10 microsatellite loci (from fecal samples) to assess genetic diversity in this Critically Endangered primate species. We found that the genetic diversity of the Hainan gibbon is extremely low, with 7 of 8 microsatellite loci exhibiting decreased diversity. Additional molecular analyses are consistent with field observations indicating that individuals in groups A, B, and C are closely related, the female–male sex ratios of the offspring deviates significantly from 1:1, and the world’s remaining Hainan gibbon population is expected to experience continued high levels of inbreeding in the future. Given extensive habitat loss (99.9% of its natural range has been deforested) and fragmentation, this rarest ape species faces impending extinction unless corrective measures are implemented immediately.

【 授权许可】

Unknown