Past and Recent Effects of Livestock Activity on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Native Guanaco Populations of Arid Patagonia
Extensive livestock production and urbanization entail modifications of natural landscapes, including installation of fences, development of agriculture, urbanization of natural areas, and construction of roads and infrastructure that, together, impact native fauna. Here, we evaluate the diversity a...
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| author | Andrés Mesas Ricardo Baldi Benito A. González Virginia Burgi Alexandra Chávez Warren E. Johnson Juan C. Marín |
| author_facet | Andrés Mesas Ricardo Baldi Benito A. González Virginia Burgi Alexandra Chávez Warren E. Johnson Juan C. Marín |
| author_sort | Andrés Mesas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Extensive livestock production and urbanization entail modifications of natural landscapes, including installation of fences, development of agriculture, urbanization of natural areas, and construction of roads and infrastructure that, together, impact native fauna. Here, we evaluate the diversity and genetic structure of endemic guanacos (<i>Lama guanicoe</i>) of the Monte and Patagonian Steppe of central Argentina, which have been reduced and displaced by sheep ranching and other impacts of human activities. Analyses of genetic variation of microsatellite loci and d-loop revealed high levels of genetic variation and latitudinal segregation of mitochondrial haplotypes. There were indications of at least two historical populations in the Monte and the Patagonian Steppe based on shared haplotypes and shared demographic history among localities. Currently, guanacos are structured into three groups that were probably reconnected relatively recently, possibly facilitated by a reduction of sheep and livestock in recent decades and a recovery of the guanaco populations. These results provide evidence of the genetic effects of livestock activity and urbanization on wild herbivore populations, which were possibly exacerbated by an arid environment with limited productive areas. The results highlight the importance of enacting conservation management plans to ensure the persistence of ancestral and ecologically functional populations of guanacos. |
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| id | doaj.art-57e3f30e7b4943feb2d25b0ec547c607 |
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| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:02:45Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-57e3f30e7b4943feb2d25b0ec547c6072023-11-21T16:48:44ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-04-01115121810.3390/ani11051218Past and Recent Effects of Livestock Activity on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Native Guanaco Populations of Arid PatagoniaAndrés Mesas0Ricardo Baldi1Benito A. González2Virginia Burgi3Alexandra Chávez4Warren E. Johnson5Juan C. Marín6Laboratorio de Genómica y Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bio-Bío, Chillán 3780000, ChileInstituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales, Centro Nacional Patagónico, CONICET, Puerto Madryn U9120 ACD, ArgentinaSouth American Camelids Specialist Group, SSC, IUCN, Santiago 8330015, ChileInstituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales, Centro Nacional Patagónico, CONICET, Puerto Madryn U9120 ACD, ArgentinaLaboratorio de Genómica y Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bio-Bío, Chillán 3780000, ChileCenter for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USALaboratorio de Genómica y Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Bio-Bío, Chillán 3780000, ChileExtensive livestock production and urbanization entail modifications of natural landscapes, including installation of fences, development of agriculture, urbanization of natural areas, and construction of roads and infrastructure that, together, impact native fauna. Here, we evaluate the diversity and genetic structure of endemic guanacos (<i>Lama guanicoe</i>) of the Monte and Patagonian Steppe of central Argentina, which have been reduced and displaced by sheep ranching and other impacts of human activities. Analyses of genetic variation of microsatellite loci and d-loop revealed high levels of genetic variation and latitudinal segregation of mitochondrial haplotypes. There were indications of at least two historical populations in the Monte and the Patagonian Steppe based on shared haplotypes and shared demographic history among localities. Currently, guanacos are structured into three groups that were probably reconnected relatively recently, possibly facilitated by a reduction of sheep and livestock in recent decades and a recovery of the guanaco populations. These results provide evidence of the genetic effects of livestock activity and urbanization on wild herbivore populations, which were possibly exacerbated by an arid environment with limited productive areas. The results highlight the importance of enacting conservation management plans to ensure the persistence of ancestral and ecologically functional populations of guanacos.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/5/1218camelidscontrol regionmicrosatelliteshuman effectsgenetic structure |
| spellingShingle | Andrés Mesas Ricardo Baldi Benito A. González Virginia Burgi Alexandra Chávez Warren E. Johnson Juan C. Marín Past and Recent Effects of Livestock Activity on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Native Guanaco Populations of Arid Patagonia Animals camelids control region microsatellites human effects genetic structure |
| title | Past and Recent Effects of Livestock Activity on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Native Guanaco Populations of Arid Patagonia |
| title_full | Past and Recent Effects of Livestock Activity on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Native Guanaco Populations of Arid Patagonia |
| title_fullStr | Past and Recent Effects of Livestock Activity on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Native Guanaco Populations of Arid Patagonia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Past and Recent Effects of Livestock Activity on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Native Guanaco Populations of Arid Patagonia |
| title_short | Past and Recent Effects of Livestock Activity on the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Native Guanaco Populations of Arid Patagonia |
| title_sort | past and recent effects of livestock activity on the genetic diversity and population structure of native guanaco populations of arid patagonia |
| topic | camelids control region microsatellites human effects genetic structure |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/5/1218 |
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