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Conservation Genetics in Mammals pp 83–120Cite as

Noninvasive Genetics and Genomics Shed Light on the Status, Phylogeography, and Evolution of the Elusive Snow Leopard

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Abstract

Noninvasive genetic methods and genomics have been able to provide important insights into the distribution, ecology, and evolution of the snow leopard. Scat sampling has yielded quantitative population size estimates using surveys that can be implemented over areas larger than can be done with more traditional methods. Scat has also been used to better understand the diet of this species. It has been found that in many regions snow leopards frequently consume livestock. New molecular markers enable studies to understand the spatial and temporal variation in depredation and to evaluate conservation actions that seek to reduce it. Scats also represent important population samples that have been used to provide insights into the phylogeography and population structure of the snow leopard. Patterns in genetic variation indicate several barriers leading to three primary clusters, while also identifying broader regions where landscape connectivity maintains metapopulations. Next-generation sequencing of 5 snow leopard whole genomes identified 257,780 SNPs that can be genotyped to acquire finer resolution of structure and understand genomic differences. Genome-wide analysis has enabled a closer examination of the two candidate genes, EGLN1 and EPAS1, which likely play an important role in the high-altitude adaptation of snow leopards by modulating the cellular response to hypoxia. There is additional evidence that one target gene, VEGFA, has higher expression in snow leopard lung compared to tiger, potentially leading to improved ventilation. More in-depth studies are needed to generate rigorous population estimates, understand factors that drive livestock depredation, identify the important corridors for connectivity, and elucidate the high-altitude physiological adaptations of this species. The resulting information will contribute to designing effective conservation and management initiatives that ensure long-term stability of snow leopards throughout their range.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA

    Jan E. Janecka, Charlotte Hacker, Jennifer Broderick, Sree Pulugulla, Philip Auron, McKenna Ringling & Brionna Nelson

  2. Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Irbis Mongolia, 210349, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

    Bariushaa Munkhtsog

  3. Department of Anthropology, Trinity College, Hartford, CT, 060106, USA

    Shafqat Hussain

  4. College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Brian Davis

  5. Snow Leopard Conservancy, Sonoma, CA, 95476, USA

    Rodney Jackson

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  1. Jan E. Janecka
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  2. Charlotte Hacker
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Correspondence to Jan E. Janecka .

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  1. Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico

    Jorge Ortega

  2. Center for Conservation Genomics, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, USA

    Jesus E. Maldonado

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Janecka, J.E. et al. (2020). Noninvasive Genetics and Genomics Shed Light on the Status, Phylogeography, and Evolution of the Elusive Snow Leopard. In: Ortega, J., Maldonado, J. (eds) Conservation Genetics in Mammals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33334-8_5

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