Laboratoire de Génomique Fonctionnelle et Amélioration Génétique, Université Nangui Abrogoua, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Laboratoire de Biotechnologie, Agriculture et Valorisation des Ressources Biologiques, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan-Cocody, Côte d'Ivoire.
PLoS One. 2024 Aug 26;19(8):e0300468. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300468. eCollection 2024.
The population of forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) has continuously declined in Côte d'Ivoire and, the remaining population largely consists of subpopulations that are fragmented and isolated. No data actually exist on the level of genetic diversity and population genetic structure of current forest elephant populations in Côte d'Ivoire. In this sense, determining genetic diversity and the underlying mechanisms of population differentiation is crucial for the initiation of effective conservation management. A total of 158 dung samples of forest elephants were collected at stage 1 of decompositions (dung pile intact, very fresh) in three Classified Forests (CF) (Bossématié, Dassioko and Port-Gauthier) in Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 101 sequences of the mitochondrial DNA control region measuring 600 base pair and 26 haplotypes were obtained. A haplotypic diversity ranging from 0.655 ± 0.050 at Bossématié and 0.859 ± 0.088 at Port Gauthier was obtained. Fifteen (15) out of 26 haplotypes observed were singletons and only the Dassioko and Port Gauthier CFs shared the same haplotypes. The strong genetic connectivity between forest elephant populations of the Dassioko and Port Gauthier CFs is supported by the grouping of these populations into a single cluster by Bayesian analysis. Although populations of L. cyclotis exhibit relatively high genetic diversity, habitat fragmentation could affect the genetic variability of current populations. Urgent measures including the reinforcement/establishment of genetic corridors and the strengthening of protection measures need to be undertaken to save the remaining populations of forest elephants in Côte d'Ivoire.
在科特迪瓦，森林象（Loxodonta cyclotis）的数量持续下降，现存的种群主要由碎片化和孤立的亚种群组成。实际上，目前科特迪瓦森林象种群的遗传多样性和种群遗传结构水平的数据并不存在。在这种情况下，确定遗传多样性和种群分化的潜在机制对于启动有效的保护管理至关重要。在科特迪瓦的三个分类森林（CF）（Bossématié、Dassioko 和 Port-Gauthier）中，共收集了 158 个处于分解第一阶段（粪便堆完整，非常新鲜）的森林象粪便样本。共获得了 101 个线粒体 DNA 控制区的 600 个碱基对的序列和 26 个单倍型。在 Bossématié 获得的单倍型多样性范围为 0.655 ± 0.050，在 Port Gauthier 获得的单倍型多样性范围为 0.859 ± 0.088。观察到的 26 个单倍型中有 15 个是单倍型，只有 Dassioko 和 Port Gauthier CF 共享相同的单倍型。Dassioko 和 Port Gauthier CF 中的森林象种群之间存在很强的遗传连通性，这得到了贝叶斯分析将这些种群分为单个聚类的支持。尽管 L. cyclotis 种群表现出相对较高的遗传多样性，但生境破碎化可能会影响当前种群的遗传变异性。需要采取紧急措施，包括加强/建立遗传走廊和加强保护措施，以拯救科特迪瓦剩余的森林象种群。
