Analysis Of Genetic Diversity Of Wild Giant Panda Population In Qinling Mountains

The giant panda(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)is a rare and protected species that has attracted people's attention and love.It is China's "national treasure" and a precious world natural heritage.Genetic diversity is an important component of biodiversity,and protecting genetic diversity of endangered species is a priority for biodiversity conservation.The protection of genetic diversity of giant pandas not only provides valuable experience for the protection of other endangered animals,but also promotes the vigorous development of biodiversity.The existing population of giant pandas is distributed in six mountain ranges from north to south in China,followed by the Qinling Mountains,the Minshan Mountains,the Qionglai Mountains,the Daxiangling Mountains,the Xiaoxiangling Mountains and the Liangshan Mountains.The distribution ranges include Shaanxi,Sichuan,and Gansu.The Qinling Mountains are known as the ?Kingdom of Animals and Plants? and are the dividing line between China's north and south climate and subtropical and warm temperate zones.The wild giant panda population of the Qinling Mountains has obvious genetic differentiation with the wild giant panda populations of the other five mountain systems,and is an independent conservation management unit.In this study,the genetic diversity of the giant panda population in the Qinling Mountains was evaluated in two aspects.First,we conducted a meta-analysis of the published literature on the genetic diversity of the giant panda population in the Qinling Mountains,and summarized the genetic diversity of the giant panda population in the Qinling Mountains.Then,we applied the newly collected microsatellite data of the wild giant panda population in the Foping Nature Reserve of Qinling Mountains,analyzed its genetic diversity and population genetic structure,simulated its population history,further verified the meta-analysis summary results,and analyzed the causes.Therefore,it provides a scientific basis for the targeted protection of the giant panda population in the Qinling Mountains.Meta-analysis analysis showed that among the six major mountain populations,the Qinling giant panda population had the lowest genetic diversity,although the Qinling giant panda population was not the lowest.In this study,non-invasive genetic sampling method combined with microsatellite molecular marker technology was used to analyze 147 wild giant panda feces samples from Foling Nature Reserve in Qinling Mountains.12 microsatellite loci were used for individual identification and successfully identified.50 individuals.The observed heterozygosity(Ho)of the wild giant panda population in Foping is 0.4346,and the expected heterozygosity(He)is 0.4523.Compared with the wildest giant panda population in the Liziping Nature Reserve with the least isolation and the smallest population density,The giant panda population in Qinling still has the lowest genetic diversity.Meta-analysis analysis suggests that the reason for the lowest genetic diversity in the Qinling Mountains is related to its population history.The Msvar Bayesian ancestor analysis of the Foping giant panda population showed that the population of Foping giant panda experienced a long-term decline in population,and the population decreased by about 15 times in about 17,000 years.This long-term population decline is most likely to be the reason for the lowest genetic diversity of the wild giant panda population in the Qinling Mountains.The long-term decline of this population may be related to historical paleoclimatic changes and human activities.In view of the current status of genetic diversity of wild giant pandas in the Qinling Mountains,we hope that more conservation management measures will be devoted to the protection of genetic diversity of the wild giant panda population in the Qinling Mountains.It is suggested that the giant panda habitat should be effectively protected and the ecological corridor should be planned.In the isolation of small populations,the population rejuvenation plan should be formulated,and the released individuals should be introduced to improve the genetic diversity of small populations.