Enhancing the Viability of a Small Giant Panda Population Through Individual Introduction From a Larger Conspecific Group: A Scientific Simulation Study
Yuzhen Zhang,
Jiabin Liu,
Jiaojiao Yu,
Cheng Li,
Xing Zhao,
Li Mo,
Wei Wu,
Yulin Gai,
Qiang Xu,
Jiubin Ni,
Limin Shen,
Haijun Gu,
Jindong Zhang,
Dunwu Qi,
Xiaodong Gu
Affiliations
Yuzhen Zhang
Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation Ministry of Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637001, China
Jiabin Liu
Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China
Jiaojiao Yu
Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China
Cheng Li
Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China
Xing Zhao
Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation Ministry of Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637001, China
Li Mo
Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China
Wei Wu
Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China
Yulin Gai
Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation Ministry of Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637001, China
Qiang Xu
World Wide Fund for Nature, China Office, Beijing 100006, China
Jiubin Ni
The Nature Conservancy (USA) Beijing Representative Office, Beijing 100600, China
Limin Shen
Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve, Guangyuan 628100, China
Haijun Gu
Sichuan Forestry and Grassland Bureau, Chengdu 610082, China
Jindong Zhang
Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation Ministry of Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637001, China
Dunwu Qi
Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu 610081, China
Xiaodong Gu
Sichuan Forestry and Grassland Bureau, Chengdu 610082, China
Currently, nearly 70% of giant panda populations are facing survival challenges. The introduction of wild individuals can bring vitality to them. To explore this possibility, we hypothetically introduced giant pandas from Tangjiahe and Wanglang into Liziping and Daxiangling Nature Reserves. We collected feces from these areas and analyzed the genetic diversity and population viability before and after introduction using nine microsatellite loci. The results showed the genetic level and viability of the large populations were better than the small populations. We investigated the effects of time intervals (2a, 5a, and 10a; year: a) and gender combinations (female: F; male: M) on the rejuvenation of small populations. Finally, five introduction plans (1F/2a, 2F/5a, 1F1M/5a, 3F/10a, and 2F1M/10a) were obtained to make Liziping meet the long-term survival standard after 100 years, and six plans (1F/2a, 2F/5a, 1F1M/5a, 4F/10a, 3F1M/10a, and 2F2M/10a) were obtained in Daxiangling. The more females were introduced, the greater the impact on the large populations. After introducing individuals, the number of alleles and expected heterozygosity of the Liziping population are at least 6.667 and 0.688, and for the Daxiangling population, they are 7.111 and 0.734, respectively. Our study provides theoretical support for the translocation of giant pandas, a reference for the restoration of other endangered species worldwide.
