Jeffery Kathryn J, Abernethy Kate A, Tutin Caroline E G, Anthony Nicola A, Bruford Michael W
Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, UK Centre International de Recherches Médicales, Franceville, Gabon, UK Department of Biological and Molecular Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK.
Integr Zool. 2007 Jun;2(2):111-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2007.00050.x.
We describe a novel application of "forensic" genetics to study a key demographic event in a population of wild gorillas. We used microsatellite genotyping and non-invasively collected DNA samples to identify one individual western lowland gorilla as being most likely to have caused the death of another in Lopé National Park, Gabon. Data from relatively few genotypes permitted the identification of female transfer events and the interpretation of individual behavior that was previously impossible using observational methods, thus providing rare behavioral data on an elusive forest-dwelling species. Importantly, this study highlights the need for future studies of dispersal and local population structuring in forest populations, and more accurate population census methods. Genetic studies focusing on individual identification may play a valuable role in future gorilla conservation efforts.
我们描述了“法医”遗传学在研究野生大猩猩种群中一个关键人口统计学事件方面的新应用。我们使用微卫星基因分型和非侵入性收集的DNA样本，确定了一只西部低地大猩猩个体极有可能是加蓬洛佩国家公园另一只大猩猩死亡的原因。相对较少的基因型数据使得识别雌性迁移事件以及解释以前无法通过观察方法获得的个体行为成为可能，从而为这种难以捉摸的森林栖息物种提供了罕见的行为数据。重要的是，这项研究凸显了未来对森林种群中的扩散和当地种群结构进行研究以及采用更准确的种群普查方法的必要性。专注于个体识别的基因研究可能在未来的大猩猩保护工作中发挥重要作用。
