Insights into the genetics of the Ground Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)

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Date
2013-02
Authors
De Beer, Christle
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University of the Free State
Abstract
English: Little is known about the molecular genetic variation of Ground Pangolin populations in South Africa. In this study it was attempted to assess the genetic diversity of the populations, but this could not be achieved due to insufficient cross‐species markers amplification. It should, however, be emphasized that the molecular work done in this study is novel, and that the results found during this research are key foundations for future studies. During sample collection it was found that three main populations of Ground Pangolins exist in South Africa in the Eastern, Western and Central parts of the country. Isolation protocols have been optimized, and it has been shown that noninvasive samples yield good quality and quantity DNA that is usable for down‐stream applications and perform as well as invasive samples. The PCR protocol was optimized, and the results from the optimization chapter will be of assistance when species‐specific markers are optimized. This study has also shown the need for the development of species‐specific markers, and the use of said markers will give a better indication of the genetic diversity of the Ground Pangolin populations in South Africa. From the statistical analysis it would seem that there are some correlations between the three sampling localities which may indicate a population divergence at some point. Based on the genetic diversity results, it appears that the diversity within Ground Pangolin populations is much lower based on the markers tested than in Malayan Pangolin populations. This will however have to be confirmed with species‐specific markers.
Afrikaans: Min is bekend oor die molekulêre genetiese variasie van die Grond Ietermagog bevolking in Suid‐Afrika. In hierdie studie is gepoog om die genetiese diversiteit van die bevolking te bepaal, maar dit kon nie bereik word nie as gevolg van onsuksesvolle kruisspesies merker amplifisering. Dit moet egter beklemtoon word dat die molekulêre werk wat gedoen is in hierdie studie nuut is, en dat die resultate wat tydens hierdie navorsing gevind is die basis vir toekomstige studies vorm. Gedurende monster versameling is daar belsuit om in drie verskillende areas bevolkings van Grond Ietermagö te versamel wat die Oos‐, Wes‐ en Sentrale dele van Suid Afrika verteenwoordig. Die DNS isolasie protokol is geoptimiseer, en het daarop gewys dat nie‐indringende monsters net sulke goeie gehalte en hoeveelhede DNS lewer wat bruikbaar vir verdere toepassing, as indringende monsters. Die PKR‐protokol is ook geoptimiseer, en die resultate van die optimiserings hoofstuk sal van hulp wees wanneer spesies‐spesifieke merkers geoptimiseer word. Hierdie studie het ook getoon dat daar die behoefte is vir die ontwikkeling van spesie‐spesifieke merkers, en gebruik van die merkers sal 'n beter aanduiding gee van die genetiese diversiteit van die Grond Ietermagog‐bevolkings in Suid‐Afrika. Uit die statistiese analise sou dit blyk dat daar ooreenstemming asook duidelike verskille is tussen die drie bevolkings wat kan dui op 'n bevolkings divergensie op 'n sekere punt. Gegrond op die genetiese diversiteit, blyk dit dat die diversiteit binne Grond Ietermagog bevolkings heelwat laer is gebasseer op die merkers wat getoets is as in die Maleise Ietermagog bevolkings. Dit sal egter bevestig moet word met spesie‐spesifieke merkers.
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Pangolins -- Genetics, Mammals, Cross‐species markers, Wildlife forensics, Genotyping errors, Population, Non‐invasive sampling, Ground Pangolin, Dissertation (M.Sc. (Genetics))--University of the Free State, 2013
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