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International Research Project Will Help Save the Amur Leopard

May 12th, 2021 ITMO University

Scientists from ITMO University and the Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity have identified significant genome differences between African and Asian leopards as part of an international research group based in Germany and the UK. This data also helped clarify the species' origin and evolutionary history. Moreover, the results of the project will help take appropriate measures to restore the population of the nearly-extinct Amur leopard.    

Scientists from ITMO University and the Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity worked as part of an international research group with specialists from Nottingham Trent University, Cambridge University, University of Leicester, and Potsdam University to analyse 26 whole genome sequences of leopards representing almost all geographically separated subspecies of Africa and Asia.

The analysis of genomes of 23 museum-stored and contemporary samples together with the genomes published earlier allowed the researchers to learn more about the leopard's cross-continental migrations, evolutionary distinctions, and population reduction over the past 500,000 years.  

"Before our project, there hasn't been any attempt to study the evolutionary development and population history of leopards using whole genome sequences, even though they are the most widespread great cats. We were able to detect some striking genetic differences between African and Asian subspecies, and we suppose that the Asian subspecies are the result of a single out-of-Africa migration and a subsequent dispersion in Asia. Since then, the distinction between leopards on the two continents remains present," explains Dr. Axel Barlow, one of the co-authors of the paper, an expert in paleogenomics and molecular biology at the School of Science and Technology of Nottingham Trent University.

The researchers estimate that African and Asian subspecies separated in their evolutionary development around the same time that the ancestors of modern humans separated from Neanderthals, which is about 500-600 thousand years ago. Asian leopards have a significantly lower level of genetic diversity than their African counterparts. This is accounted for by their single out-of-Africa migration, as well as great genetic differences owing to their geographic isolation on the Asian continent. 

"Despite the fact that both species have spots, Asian and African leopards have striking DNA differences. Given that they are highly mobile, it is surprising that they remained so different and don't share more genetic material. Our data demonstrates that many more curious genetic discoveries are stored in natural history museums around the world," says Dr. Johanna Paijmans, lead author of the paper, a research associate at Cambridge University, and honorary fellow at Leicester University.   

"The population of the Amur leopard reached a critically low mark during the last century – there were  no more than 50 specimens left in the wild. This low number remained constant for 30-40 years until the last decade when it has started to increase thanks to conservation measures. Leopards typically tend to avoid mating with close relatives, but right now they don't have the opportunity to find alternative partners. That's why their genetic diversity is rapidly decreasing and the whole subspecies demonstrates preliminary signs of extinction," shares Stephen J. O'Brien, one of the co-authors of the paper, the Chief Scientific Officer of the Laboratory of Genomics Diversity at ITMO University.  

This research project presents another impetus to initiatives for conservation of rare leopard subspecies. For instance, the genetic data of the Amur leopard will help in the decision-making process of the reintroduction program that aims to re-establish genetically productive leopard populations in their former habitats by adapting  suitable zoo-kept specimens to life in the wild. 

Background information: 

Leopards are the only great cats (Panthera genus) that are found in both Africa and Asia. The species is included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, as well as in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Leopards are secretive  and highly adaptive to various habitats – from tropical rainforests, savannas, and deserts to snowy mountainsides.  

The rarest leopard subspecies is the Far Eastern, or Amur leopard. This is the most genetically depleted subspecies due to its low population number. Amur leopards are native to the Primorsky Krai (the Russian Far East) and Northern China. About 100 specimens  remain in the wild today.

More information:
www.cell.com/current-biology/p … -9822(21)00457-7.pdf

Provided by ITMO University

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