Study On Population Genetic Diversity Of Hainan Gibbon (Nomascus Hainanus)

Hainan gibbon(Nomascus hainanus),which is endemic to China,belongs to Primates,Hylobatidae.Hainan gibbon is now found only in the Bawangling National Nature Reserve(N 19°02?~19°08?,E 109°02?~109°13?)of Hainan Province.The critical conservation status of Hainan gibbon was acknowledged by the IUCN and placed on the list of the most critically endangered species in the world.The small surviving population size of Hainan gibbon has recovered to 27 individuals from 7~8 individuals in 1970 s,it is still in critically endangered condition,still on the verge of extinction,vulnerable to random events and other external threats.We also have little knowledge about the population genetics of the present population.Information on the genetic history of the wild populations is crucial for reasonable suggestions and conservation programs.Therefore,studies on the genetic backgroud of this small surviving population are urgent needed.In order to clarify these problems,this study takes the existing population of Hainan gibbon as project objects.Fresh fecal samples were collected from three family groups(A,B and C family groups)of Hainan gibbon by non-invasive sampling methods.Genetic markers from both nucleic and mitochondria genome were applied.Three molecular markers(10 microsatellites,3 gender identification genes and D-loop region in mitochondrial DNA)were used to individual identificaion and sequence amplication of D-loop region.The aim is to reveal the population genetic informations,such as genetic diversity,effective population size,inbreeding coefficient and relationship among individuals,et al.The results of this study indicated that there was a poor genetic background of Hainan gibbon in both nucleic and mitochondrial genome.All the provided evidence showed that another major critically endangered manifestation of Hainan gibbons is the extremely low level of genetic diversity of its existing population.In the 50 years of extreme population shrinkage,the population has suffered from genetic bottleneck and genetic drift has occurred.Our arguments strongly suggest that conservation programs should shift their focus and invest more on artificially positive interventions as quickly as possible to quickly restore their population size,genetic diversity and enhance viability...