Population Genetics Study Of Rhinopithecus Brelichi

Since its first discovery in 1903,the current population of the Guizhou snub–nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus brelichi)has been confirmed by numerous surveys to exist only in the Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve,where it has lived in isolation for a long time,a typical small local population.The IUCN has rated it as a Critically Endangered primate,and there are few studies on the population genetics of the Guizhou snub–nosed monkey.In order to further understand this species,non–damaging samples were taken,based on microsatellite molecular markers,sex determination genes and mt DNA D–loop region sequence amplification experiments,to reveal its genetic background,the current genetic diversity of the population,and to provide a theoretical basis for the long–term survival and development,conservation and rejuvenation of this small,isolated population.In this study,a total of 312 faecal samples of golden snub-nosed monkeys were collected,and 288 sequences with a total length of 866 bp were successfully amplified.The results of the genetic diversity of mitochondrial D–loop molecular markers: 11 haplotypes,32 variable loci,including 28 conversions and 4 reversals.Haplotype diversity(h)0.517 and nucleotide diversity(?)0.00413.Genetic diversity was low.Neutrality tests were not significant and population dynamics analysis showed no recent population expansion.The average PIC(polymorphism information content)value of the 11 loci was0.562,and the observed heterozygosity(Ho)and expected heterozygosity(He)were 0.71 and 0.62 respectively,indicating a medium level of genetic diversity.There is no subpopulation differentiation.No inbreeding has occurred in the population,and the current effective population size is 675 ± 292.As an isolated small population,the population of Guizhou snub–nosed monkeys has undergone past declines and has not increased significantly in the last decade,probably because the current habitat has reached its environmental holding capacity.