The
Ethiopian wolf is already the world's rarest dog, with a population of
fewer than 500 left in the wild. Now the results of a 12-year study
indicate that wolf groups are genetically fragmenting.
The team
behind this result looked at the genetic diversity, population
structure and gene flow in 72 wolves, taken from six populations
(samples were also taken from a group living around Mount Choke,
but sadly this group became extinct during the study). They found that
while genetic diversity was quite high, gene flow was weak. Not only
were populations isolated from each other, it appeared that
sub-populations were also becoming isolated from each other.
This result adds to concerns about the future of the Ethiopian wolf.
Habitat loss is still a major threat as people push into the highlands
in search of new places to live and farm, and a recent outbreak of
rabies had a devastating effect (estimated to have reduced the total
population by up to 75%). Limited gene flow between remaining groups
could make them extremely vulnerable to disease and incapable of
adapting to new habitats. Inbreeding could also become a major problem.
However, if "corridors" can created between populations or males moved
to different groups, there may be hope for the wolf yet. Previous
studies have shown that relocating males can have a great effect on
genetic diversity - not such a problem for the Ethiopian wolf, but it
may reduce the issue of isolation.
Photo credit: Laurent Geslin/NPL.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/
For the abstract of the study: http://
The
Ethiopian wolf is already the world's rarest dog, with a population of
fewer than 500 left in the wild. Now the results of a 12-year study
indicate that wolf groups are genetically fragmenting.
The team behind this result looked at the genetic diversity, population structure and gene flow in 72 wolves, taken from six populations (samples were also taken from a group living around Mount Choke,
The team behind this result looked at the genetic diversity, population structure and gene flow in 72 wolves, taken from six populations (samples were also taken from a group living around Mount Choke,
but sadly this group became extinct during the study). They found that
while genetic diversity was quite high, gene flow was weak. Not only
were populations isolated from each other, it appeared that
sub-populations were also becoming isolated from each other.
This result adds to concerns about the future of the Ethiopian wolf. Habitat loss is still a major threat as people push into the highlands in search of new places to live and farm, and a recent outbreak of rabies had a devastating effect (estimated to have reduced the total population by up to 75%). Limited gene flow between remaining groups could make them extremely vulnerable to disease and incapable of adapting to new habitats. Inbreeding could also become a major problem.
However, if "corridors" can created between populations or males moved to different groups, there may be hope for the wolf yet. Previous studies have shown that relocating males can have a great effect on genetic diversity - not such a problem for the Ethiopian wolf, but it may reduce the issue of isolation.
Photo credit: Laurent Geslin/NPL.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/
For the abstract of the study: http://
This result adds to concerns about the future of the Ethiopian wolf. Habitat loss is still a major threat as people push into the highlands in search of new places to live and farm, and a recent outbreak of rabies had a devastating effect (estimated to have reduced the total population by up to 75%). Limited gene flow between remaining groups could make them extremely vulnerable to disease and incapable of adapting to new habitats. Inbreeding could also become a major problem.
However, if "corridors" can created between populations or males moved to different groups, there may be hope for the wolf yet. Previous studies have shown that relocating males can have a great effect on genetic diversity - not such a problem for the Ethiopian wolf, but it may reduce the issue of isolation.
Photo credit: Laurent Geslin/NPL.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/
For the abstract of the study: http://
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