Estimating the Arabian Leopard (Panthera Pardus Nimr) Population Size in Israel Using Fecal DNA I

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Estimating the Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) population size in Israel using fecal DNA I. PEREZ, E.GEFFEN, and O.MOKADY. Department of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978 Israel. The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), one of the world's most endangered leopard subspecies, occurs in the Arabian Peninsula and Israel. Using molecular techniques applied on fecal samples, we estimated the leopard population size and composition in Israel. Feces were collected over the entire range of the Arabian leopard in Israel. Fecal DNA was typed for several microsatellite loci to deduce the number of unique multilocus genotypes. Assuming that each unique genotype represents one leopard, the population size was projected as the asymptote of a rarefaction curve describing the cumulative number of unique multilocus genotypes as a function of the number of feces typed. Sex was determined using specific markers of both sex chromosomes. During this study we obtained 54 leopard DNA samples. The microsatellite typing results revealed very low genetic variability, and many loci were found to be monomorphic, implying close inbreeding and genetic drift. Integrating the molecular analysis data with the spatial distribution of the feces locations enabled discrimination of eight different individuals: three females and five males. While these findings highlight the critical status of the leopards in Israel, the existence of individuals of both genders indicates that conservation efforts are not hopeless. Published in the ISRAEL JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY Vol. 51, No. 1, 2005 .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Status of Common Leopard Panthera Pardus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Kunjo VDC of Mustang District, Nepal
Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only. Status of Common Leopard Panthera pardus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Kunjo VDC of Mustang District, Nepal Submitted by Yadav Ghimirey M.Sc thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Environmental Management Evaluation Committee: Prof. Karan Bahadur Shah Advisor (Member) ………………………… Co-ordinator/AP (Member) ………………………… (Member) Yadav Ghimirey Previous Degree: Bachelor of Science Sikkim Government College Gangtok, Sikkim India School of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development Shantinagar, Kathmandu Nepal October 2006 1 Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only. TABLE OF CONTENTS Abbreviations and Acronyms ………………………………………………...................i List of Tables .................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. iii List of Plates ……............................................................................................................. iv Abstract ..............................................................................................................................v Acknowledgements........................................................................................................... vi 1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………….....1
[Show full text]
Panthera Pardus) Range Countries
Profiles for Leopard (Panthera pardus) Range Countries Supplemental Document 1 to Jacobson et al. 2016 Profiles for Leopard Range Countries TABLE OF CONTENTS African Leopard (Panthera pardus pardus)...................................................... 4 North Africa .................................................................................................. 5 West Africa ................................................................................................... 6 Central Africa ............................................................................................. 15 East Africa .................................................................................................. 20 Southern Africa ........................................................................................... 26 Arabian Leopard (P. p. nimr) ......................................................................... 36 Persian Leopard (P. p. saxicolor) ................................................................... 42 Indian Leopard (P. p. fusca) ........................................................................... 53 Sri Lankan Leopard (P. p. kotiya) ................................................................... 58 Indochinese Leopard (P. p. delacouri) .......................................................... 60 North Chinese Leopard (P. p. japonensis) ..................................................... 65 Amur Leopard (P. p. orientalis) ..................................................................... 67 Javan Leopard
[Show full text]
Leopard (Panthera Pardus) Status, Distribution, and the Research Efforts Across Its Range
Leopard (Panthera pardus) status, distribution, and the research efforts across its range Andrew P. Jacobson1,2,3, Peter Gerngross4, Joseph R. Lemeris Jr.3, Rebecca F. Schoonover3, Corey Anco5, Christine Breitenmoser- Wu¨rsten6, Sarah M. Durant1,7, Mohammad S. Farhadinia8,9, Philipp Henschel10, Jan F. Kamler10, Alice Laguardia11, Susana Rostro-Garcı´a9, Andrew B. Stein6,12 and Luke Dollar3,13,14 1 Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom 2 Department of Geography, University College London, London, United Kingdom 3 Big Cats Initiative, National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C., United States 4 BIOGEOMAPS, Vienna, Austria 5 Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, United States 6 IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group, c/o KORA, Bern, Switzerland 7 Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY, United States 8 Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS), Tehran, Iran 9 Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tubney, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom 10 Panthera, New York, NY, United States 11 The Wildlife Institute, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China 12 Landmark College, Putney, VT, United States 13 Department of Biology, Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer, NC, United States 14 Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States ABSTRACT The leopard’s (Panthera pardus) broad geographic range, remarkable adaptability, and secretive nature have contributed to a misconception that this species might not be severely threatened across its range. We ﬁnd that not only are several subspecies and regional populations critically endangered but also the overall range loss is greater than the average for terrestrial large carnivores. 31 December 2015 Submitted To assess the leopard’s status, we compile 6,000 records at 2,500 locations Accepted 5 April 2016 Published 4May2016 from over 1,300 sources on its historic (post 1750) and current distribution.
[Show full text]
Poisoning of Endangered Ara- Bian Leopard in Saudi Arabia and Its
short communication M. ZAFAR-UL ISLAM1*, AHMED BOUG1, ABDULLAH AS-SHEHRI1 & MUKHLID AL JAID1 depleted key prey populations like the Nubian ibex Capra nubiana, Hyrax Procavia capensis, Poisoning of endangered Ara- and Cape hare Lepus capensis (Al Johany 2007). As a consequence, the leopard has be- bian leopard in Saudi Arabia come increasingly dependent upon domestic stock for its subsistence, in turn leading to and its conservation efforts retaliation by those herders losing animals. Carcasses are poisoned and traps set to kill Many killings of leopards can be attributed to livestock protection. When catching the predator whenever it is encountered (Ju- goats, sheep, young camels or other domestic animals, leopards interfere with hu- das et al. 2006). Although legally protected, man activities and are seen as straight competitors. With the decrease of natural the current law enforcement is ineffective (Al prey species, they have to more and more shift their diet to livestock, which increas- Johany 2007, Judas et al. 2006). Finally, there es their unpopularity. In most cases, they are also considered as a threat for human. are reports of the sale of furs and rarely live As a result, leopard is hunted across its range, with different methods (trapping, poi- animals sold in the market. For example one soning, shooting). Poisoning using anticoagulant rat killer was common in the eight- cat was sold for $4,800 in the Al Khawbah ies, which was stopped in 1985 unlike trapping. A total of only five known incidences market in 1997 (Judas et al. 2006). Leopard of poisoning of Arabian leopards Panthera pardus nimr have been recorded in Saudi fat is valued by some locals for its perceived Arabia between 1965 and 2014.
[Show full text]
Critically Endangered Arabian Leopards Panthera Pardus Nimr Persist in the Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve, Oman
Oryx Vol 40 No 3 July 2006 Critically Endangered Arabian leopards Panthera pardus nimr persist in the Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve, Oman James Andrew Spalton, Hadi Musalam al Hikmani, David Willis and Ali Salim Bait Said Abstract Between 1997 and 2000 a survey of the unrecorded in Jabal Samhan. Although people are Arabian subspecies of leopard Panthera pardus nimr mostly absent from the Reserve there is some conflict was conducted in the little known Jabal Samhan Nature between leopards and shepherds who live outside the Reserve in southern Oman. Using camera-traps 251 Reserve. The numbers and activities of frankincense photographic records were obtained of 17 individual harvesters in the Reserve need to be managed to leopards; nine females, five males, two adults of safeguard the leopard and its habitat. The main unknown sex and one cub. Leopards were usually challenge for the future is to find ways whereby local solitary and trail use and movements suggested large communities can benefit from the presence of the ranges characterized by spatial sharing but little Reserve and from the leopards that the Reserve seeks temporal overlap. More active by day than night in to safeguard. undisturbed areas, overall the leopards exhibited two peaks in activity, morning and evening. The survey also Keywords Arabia, Arabian leopard, camera-traps, provided records of leopard prey species and first Dhofar, Jabal Samhan, leopards, Oman, Panthera pardus records of nine Red List mammal species previously nimr. Introduction thought to have come from Jabal Samhan in 1947, and a further specimen was obtained elsewhere in Dhofar in The Arabian subspecies of leopard Panthera pardus nimr 1947–1948 (Harrison, 1968).
[Show full text]
Cats on the 2009 Red List of Threatened Species
ISSN 1027-2992 CATnewsN° 51 | AUTUMN 2009 01 IUCNThe WorldCATnews Conservation 51Union Autumn 2009 news from around the world KRISTIN NOWELL1 Cats on the 2009 Red List of Threatened Species The IUCN Red List is the most authoritative lists participating in the assessment pro- global index to biodiversity status and is the cess. Distribution maps were updated and flagship product of the IUCN Species Survi- for the first time are being included on the val Commission and its supporting partners. Red List website (www.iucnredlist.org). Tex- As part of a recent multi-year effort to re- tual species accounts were also completely assess all mammalian species, the family re-written. A number of subspecies have Felidae was comprehensively re-evaluated been included, although a comprehensive in 2007-2008. A workshop was held at the evaluation was not possible (Nowell et al Oxford Felid Biology and Conservation Con- 2007). The 2008 Red List was launched at The fishing cat is one of the two species ference (Nowell et al. 2007), and follow-up IUCN’s World Conservation Congress in Bar- that had to be uplisted to Endangered by email with others led to over 70 specia- celona, Spain, and since then small changes (Photo A. Sliwa). Table 1. Felid species on the 2009 Red List. CATEGORY Common name Scientific name Criteria CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR) Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus C2a(i) ENDANGERED (EN) Andean cat Leopardus jacobita C2a(i) Tiger Panthera tigris A2bcd, A4bcd, C1, C2a(i) Snow leopard Panthera uncia C1 Borneo bay cat Pardofelis badia C1 Flat-headed
[Show full text]
WME Vol.3 Issue 1 E Final
Volume 3 • Issue 1 • June 2008 • ISSN 1990-8237 YEMENI LEOPARD RECOVERY PROGRAMME David B. Stanton fundraising items such as cards and posters, produce content for the YLRP website (under construction), Sana’a International School, P.O. Box 2002, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen. [email protected] and make presentations about conservation issues to Yemeni schoolchildren in other schools. Keywords: Arabian Leopard, Conservation, Yemen, nimr, Wada’a In just a few months the YLRP has achieved some The Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is arguably the rarest large cat on the planet. While this notable accomplishments. We have brought the issue dubious distinction, based on a wild population of some 30 individuals, is generally given to the Amur of leopard conservation to the attention of thousands Leopard (P.p. orientalis), there are close to 500 Amur Leopards held in zoos around the world. Wild Arabian of Yemenis through articles in local newspapers and Leopards might, by the most optimistic estimates, outnumber their far-Eastern cousins by as much as six magazines and in presentations to various audiences. to one, but with only 50 or so Arabian Leopards in captivity P.p. nimr is still at least twice as scarce as We have initiated an institution-building process at orientalis. That the Arabian subspecies survives at all is no small miracle on a peninsula where charismatic Sana’a Zoo which should pave the way for improved wildlife continues to disappear at an alarming rate. The Arabian Leopard’s tenuous persistence in the facilities for their captive leopards and better utilization wild is attributable to the resourcefulness of the animal, the ruggedness of the terrain that it inhabits, and of the zoo’s ability to educate a proportion of its 1.4 pioneering conservation efforts across the peninsula, most notably in Oman and Sharjah, UAE.
[Show full text]
Conservation Strategy for the Arabian Peninsula
Strategy for the Conservation of the Leopard in the Arabian Peninsula Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................7 1. Intorduction ................................................................................................9 2. Status and Distribution .............................................................................10 3. Problem Analysis .....................................................................................12 4. Range-wide Conservation Strategy ..........................................................13 5. Implementation of the Arabina Leopard Conservation Strategy .............18 6. References ................................................................................................22 7. Acknowledgements ..................................................................................22 Appendix I: List of Workshop Participants .................................................23 Appendix II: List of Range State Agencies ..................................................24 Editors: Urs & Christine Breitenmoser, David Mallon & Jane-Ashley Edmonds Layout: Christine Breitenmoser & Amal Al Hosani Translation: Nashat Hamidan Cover photo: Arabian Leopard in Oman Photo: Andrew Spalton. Foreword by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah Al nimr al-arabi, the Arabian leopard, is a uniquely small, genetically distinctive, desert-adapted form of the leopard that is endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. It once occurred around the moun- tainous rim
[Show full text]
Activity Report 2015/2016 02
activity 2015/2016report 01 Activity Report 2015/2016 02 The IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group The Cat Specialist Group is responsible for the global assessment of the conservation status of all 37 wild living cat species. We coordinate and support the activities of currently 203 leading scientists, nature conservation officers and wildlife managers in currently 57 countries. The main tasks include: - to maintain the network of cat experts and partners; - to continuously assess the status and conservation needs of the 37 cat species; - to support governments with strategic conservation planning and implementation of conservation action; - to develop capacity in felid conservation; - to provide services to members and partners and outreach; - to assure the financial resources for the Cat Specialist Group. For the activity reports we present some of our achievements against these main tasks. Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten and Urs Breitenmoser Co-chairs IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group Cover photo: Fishing cat (Photo A. Sliwa) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group activity report 2015/16: contents The Network IUCN Species Survival Commission Leaders’ meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE .....................................................4 Species Assessment and Conservation Activities Multi-species database workshop in Nairobi, Kenya.......................................................................................5 Global Mammal Assessment - update .............................................................................................................6
[Show full text]
Status of the Arabian Leopard in United Arab Emirates
Status of the Arabian Leopard in United Arab Emirates Jane-Ashley Edmonds1, Kevin J. Budd1, Abdulaziz al Midfa2 and Christian Gross3 1 Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife, PO Box 29922, Sharjah, UAE <[email protected]> 2 Environment and Protected Areas Authority, PO Box 2926, Sharjah, UAE 3 Animal Management Consultancy, PO Box 1022, Umm al Quwain, UAE Experts estimate the wild population of Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) in the Northern Emirates and Musandam Peninsula to be as low as 5–10; however, the UAE does not have the area capacity to carry a population larger than 10-20 animals. In recent historic times, the caracal is thought to have become an apex predator in areas not used by the Arabian leopard. Its predominance in many wadis may therefore serve as an indicator for declined/extinct leopard populations. Very little is known about the primary and marginal habitats of the Arabian leopard in the UAE, assessment is based on scattered reports and knowledge of leopards from other regions. It is thought that the UAE provides a corridor for leopards moving between the Musandam Peninsula and the Al Hajar Mountains of Oman, although the leopard may be extinct from the Al Hajar Mountains. Accurate data regarding the distribution, ecology and behaviour of the Arabian leopard will enable suitable protected areas to be planned and proposed. ϪΒѧηϭ ΔϴϟΎϤθѧϟ΍ Ε΍έΎѧϣϻ΍ ϲѧϓ ΔѧϳήΒϟ΍ ϲѧϓ (ήѧϤϧ αϭΩέΎѧΑ ΍ήΜϧΎѧΑ) ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ Ω΍Ϊϋ΍ ˯΍ήΒΨϟ΍ έΪϘϳ ϲѧϓ ϲѧΑήόϟ΍ ήѧϤϨϟ΍ ΕΎѧΌϴΑ ήѧΒΘόΗϭˬ ήѧϤϧ 5-10 ίϭΎѧΠΘϳ ϻ ΚѧϴΤΑ ΔπϔΨϨϣ ϡΪϨδϣ ΔϴΑήόϟ΍ ΓήϳΰΠϟ΍ ΍άѧϫ ΔѧόϴΒσ ΐδΣ ϚϟΫϭ ϥ΍ϮϴΣ 10-20 Ϧϣ ήΜϛ΃ ϞϤΤΘΗ ϻ ΚϴΤΑ ΔΣΎδϤϟ΍ ΓΩϭΪΤϣ Ε΍έΎϣϻ΍ ΔϟϭΩ (.
[Show full text]
Prey Preferences of the Leopard (Panthera Pardus) M
Journal of Zoology. Print ISSN 0952-8369 Prey preferences of the leopard (Panthera pardus) M. W. Hayward1, P. Henschel2, J. O’Brien3, M. Hofmeyr4, G. Balme5 & G. I. H. Kerley1 1 Terrestrial Ecology Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Eastern Cape, South Africa 2 Station d’Etudes des Gorilles et Chimpanzs, Libreville, Gabon 3 Shamwari Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa 4 Wildlife Veterinary Unit, Kruger National Park, Mpumulanga, South Africa 5 Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of kwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa Keywords Abstract character displacement; Carnivora; diet; Jacobs’ index; optimal foraging; predation Leopards Panthera pardus have a catholic diet and are generally thought to prey preference; preferred prey weight range; prey on medium-sized ungulates; however, knowledge on which species are actually susceptibility. preferred and avoided is lacking, along with an understanding of why such preferences arise. Twenty-nine published and four unpublished studies of leopard Correspondence diet that had relative prey abundance estimates associated with them were Matt W. Hayward, Terrestrial Ecology analysed from 13 countries in 41 different spatial locations or temporal periods Research Unit, Department of Zoology, throughout the distribution of the leopard. A Jacobs’ index value was calculated Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, for each prey species in each study and the mean of these was then tested against a PO Box 77000, Port Elizabeth 6031, Eastern mean of 0 using t or sign tests for preference or avoidance. Leopards preferentially Cape, South Africa. Tel: +27 (0) 41 504 prey upon species within a weight range of 10–40 kg. Regression plots suggest that 2308; Fax: +27 (0) 41 504 2946 the most preferred mass of leopard prey is 25 kg, whereas the mean body mass of Email: [email protected] signiﬁcantly preferred prey is 23 kg.
[Show full text]
Diet of Leopard and Caracal in the Northern United Arab Emirates and Adjoining Oman Territory
Diet of Leopard and Caracal in the Northern United Arab Emirates and Adjoining Oman Territory Chris and Mathilde Stuart1 othing has been recorded Wadi Zeebat (25° 46' N / 056° 09' E) but Hare Lepus capensis in three scats. Of on the diet of the leopard caracal scats were collected at six dif- the bird remains in three scats, two were NPanthera pardus and cara- ferent locations, as given in Table 1. identified as originating from the Sand cal Caracal caracal in south-eastern Partridge Ammoperdix heyi, a relatively Arabia, more specifically the United Results common game bird in the region. Arab Emirates and the Musandam Caracal territory of the Sultanate of Oman. Goat Capra remains were found in nine Natural prey species Muir-Wright (1999) studied the diet out of the 12 scats collected, Sheep Ovis During the course of the biodiversity of Leopard in the Dhofar region of in two of the scats (Table 1). The pres- survey of the southernmost Musandam southern Oman in close proximity to ence of these two domestic animals was Peninsula and adjoining areas of the the Yemeni border. established by comparing scalation on United Arab Emirates no evidence was the hairs. The only other mammal re- found of the continued occurrence of Given the precarious state of these mains identified were of the Egyptian any wild ungulates. Although local resi- two cats in the Arabian Peninsula it is Spiny Mouse Acomys cahirinus in one dents (through translation by Moaz Sa- important to record any new informa- scat. Unidentified bird remains, feathers waf to the authors) knew of the Moun- tion.
[Show full text]