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The first report on genetic variability and population structure in jackals from Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

In recent years, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) has rapidly expanded its distribution throughout Europe. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the jackal has also been found to have increased its range, while establishing a core population in the northern lowlands of the country. This core population has been augmented by individuals from Serbia and Croatia, indicating an ongoing gene flow between the neighboring regions. Given the lack of comprehensive population-genetic data in the country, we aimed to produce the first information on jackal genetic diversity and population structure. We analyzed 24 autosomal microsatellite loci and found moderately high genetic diversity (Na = 5.83, Ho = 0.56, He = 0.59) in 48 jackals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, comparable to most other European populations. Analyses of population structure revealed two genetic clusters (K = 2) with an uncertain spatial pattern. Given the continuing expansion of its populations throughout Europe, the distribution of golden jackal is gradually overlapping with that of humans and other Canidae. Consequently, conflicts are steadily increasing, as are additional concerns regarding potential hybridization with dogs and wolves. This study is therefore a valuable contribution to the understanding of future actions and measures that should be established for jackals in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Srna – Srbac Hunting Association, and numerous hunters and foresters throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina for their help in sampling. Our special thanks go to Astrid Vik Stronen for valuable comments during the preparation of the manuscript and Richard Harrison-Cripps for technical assistance.

Funding

This study was financially supported by the Rufford Foundation, UK, and by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development (451–03-68/2022–14/ 200178).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Genetic Resources, University of Banja Luka, University City, 1A Vojvode Petra Bojovića Blvd, 78 000, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Jelena Nikitović & Marina Antić

  2. Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Mihajla Djan

  3. Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia

    Duško Ćirović

  4. Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka, Mladena Stojanovića 2, 78000, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Dragana Šnjegota

Authors
  1. Jelena Nikitović
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  2. Mihajla Djan
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  3. Duško Ćirović
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  4. Marina Antić
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  5. Dragana Šnjegota
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and data analyses were performed by Dragana Šnjegota. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Dragana Šnjegota. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript, read, and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Dragana Šnjegota.

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Communicated by Joanna Stojak

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Nikitović, J., Djan, M., Ćirović, D. et al. The first report on genetic variability and population structure in jackals from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mamm Res 68, 243–247 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-022-00665-z

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