| Genetic diversity of the
black-and-white ruffed lemur
(Varecia variegata) in
Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar 1Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences, Stony Brook University, 2Department of Anthropology, Stony Brook University, 3Center for Conservation and Research, Henry Doorly Zoo Abstract This study provides preliminary results comparing two sites within Ranomafana National Park: Mangevo, a newly established site located near the southeastern boundary of Parcel III (S 21°22’49.8”, E 47°26’88.3”), and Vatoharanana (S 21°30’0”, E 47°21’0”), a long-term research site located approximately 17 km to the northwest of Mangevo. A total of N = 22 individuals were sampled (Mangevo, N = 12; Vatoharanana, N = 10). A panel of 23 species-specific nuclear microsatellite loci was used to assess the genetic diversity within and between the two sites. The data set was tested globally and sub-populations were then tested individually for conformation to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Other estimators of genetic diversity, including Nei’s standardized genetic distance (DSG), Wright’s F-statistic (FST), the inbreeding estimator (FIS), and allelic diversity were also calculated for comparison, with the aims of attaining more accurate resolution of gene flow and inter- and intra-populational genetic relationships. Results suggest that Vatoharanana has suffered a loss of genetic diversity, as indicated by a deviation of genotype frequencies from HWE, whereas the Mangevo population does not appear to deviate significantly from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. Furthermore, allelic diversity differs significantly between populations across nearly all loci. These statistics provide evidence that there has been sufficient isolation for genetic drift or selection to result in populations with significantly distinct genetic substructures. This research will serve as baseline data for studying the relationships between genetic relatedness and the sociality and infant-care strategies of Varecia variegata. |