Genetic Status, Diet And Human-animal Conflict Of North China Leopard Population In Fragmented Habitats Of The Loess Platea

Large carnivores are the flagship species of the regional ecosystem and are important for the balance and stability of the ecosystem.Due to trophic cascade effects,the low natural density of large carnivores in natural habitats leads to their greater sensitivity to anthropogenic disturbances and environmental changes,and at higher extinction risk compared to other species.Identifying key risk factors and developing targeted conservation plans are necessary to protect endangered large carnivores.The North Chinese leopard(Panthera pardus japonensis)belongs to Panthera,Carnivora,and is the largest surviving carnivore in the forest ecosystem of northern China.In recent decades,the habitat of the North Chinese leopard has been severely fragmented due to strong human activities.The fragmented habitats have led to smaller and more fragmented populations of leopards,disruption of inter-population gene exchange and loss of community structure,which in turn has led to a decrease in the fitness of leopard and an increase in the probability of population extinction.In order to scientifically protect the leopard and promote its population recovery,this study used the Loess Plateau,the area where the North Chinese leopard occurs most frequently,as the main study area.Using noninvasive genetic analysis,fecal content analysis and questionnaire survey methods,we conducted the first systematic survey on the genetic structure and status of the leopard population in this area,the main prey composition of the leopard,and assessed the conservation attitude of local villagers towards the leopard.The main results are as follows:1.Individual identification and population genetic analysis were conducted using eight pairs of microsatellite loci and mitochondrial ND-5 gene on 97 fecal samples collected from the typical distribution areas of North Chinese leopards on the Loess Plateau,namely Liupanshan National Nature Reserve(LNR),Shaanxi Ziwuling National Nature Reserve(ZNR),and Shanxi Tieqiao Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve(TNR)and surrounding areas.Among these feces,we successfully identified 22 North Chinese leopard individuals(6 females and 16 males).Genetic diversity data analysis showed that North Chinese leopards have relatively high genetic diversity(mitochondrial ND-5 gene: Hd = 0.331,Pi = 0.0036;SSR: PIC = 0.673).STRUCTURE and TESS analyses based on microsatellite data showed that there seems to be a clear boundary between the assembled populations of leopards on the Loess Plateau(K = 2),and it is speculated that the Yellow River is responsible for the formation of this population structure.Reducing anthropogenic disturbance and achieving landscape connectivity in key habitats will promote the spread and recovery of isolated North Chinese leopard populations.2.The results of a study on the dietary habits of North Chinese leopards using fecal content analysis showed that the leopards consisted mainly of 10 prey species.Among them,roe deer(Capreolus pygargus,RM = 49.56%)and wild boar(Sus scrofa,RM =21.1%)were the main food sources.Analysis of differences in seasonal composition of diet showed that North Chinese leopards preyed on more prey taxa during snow-free periods(9 species)than during snow-cover periods(7 species),but roe deer remained the main prey for North Chinese leopards in both seasons.Growth of leopard populations at small scales may be achieved by restoring the densities of their main prey(roe deer and wild boar).3.To determine the current status of human-animal conflict and community attitudes toward leopard conservation,this study conducted a systematic survey of 27 villages around the Ziwu Ling National Nature Reserve(ZNR)in Shaanxi using a questionnaire survey method.A total of 200 valid questionnaires were collected.The results of the human-animal conflict survey showed that the most serious species causing trouble in the study area was wild boar,and no obvious human-leopard conflict was found.The results of conservation attitudes showed that local residents were supportive of the conservation of North Chinese leopards(90%),but the average acceptance of leopards among the grazing population was low.Establishing a sound compensation mechanism,doing a good job of monitoring the population dynamics of the North Chinese leopard,and making scientific warnings for possible human-leopard conflicts are the focus of future protection work for the leopard.In summary,the multi-faceted and fine-scale population survey of the North Chinese leopard population in fragmented habitats of the Loess Plateau using multiple survey methods at three scales of genetics,diet and community conservation found that the leopard is surviving well and has the potential for sustainable existence and dispersal.In order to achieve the recovery and dispersal of the North Chinese leopard population,follow-up habitat and food chain restoration work is still needed.The results of the study provide a theoretical basis for the next step of scientific conservation and management of the leopard.