Long-term persistence of the large mammal lowland tapir is at risk in the largest Atlantic forest corridor

Author(s)

Saranholi, Bruno H. ; Sanches, Alexandra ; Moreira-Ramirez, Jose F. ; Carvalho, Carolina da Silva ; Galetti, Mauro ; Galetti Jr, Pedro M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PERSPECTIVES IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION; v. 20, n. 3, p. 9-pg., 2022-07-01.

Abstract

Forest corridor has been considered the main strategy for maintaining gene flow between isolated populations, yet their effectivity is poorly tested. Assessing signatures of genetic variation loss, gene flowreduction and inbreeding may be helpful for conservation of the biodiversity that needs large continuousareas. Here we evaluated the genetic structure and diversity of the largest neotropical mammal, the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), living in the largest Atlantic forest corridor in Brazil. We used fecal-derivedDNA, genotyped nine polymorphic microsatellite loci of 75 tapirs, and quantified genetic differentiation, genetic diversity, and landscape resistance to gene flow. We found genetic differentiation between theinland and coastal populations, which may be explained by elevation. Expected heterozygosity rangedbetween 0.64 (inland population) and 0.78 (coastal population), and a small Ne was observed in bothpopulations. We demonstrated that even large continuous rainforests are not totally permeable to the gene flow of large organisim. Our preception about the plant of continous corridors and their role for long-term survival of large mammals, suggesting that tapir conservation effortsshould be taken even for populations in the large protected areas. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/03392-6 - Effects of the defaunation gradient on plant herbivory, seed predation and dispersal: the Atlantic Rainforest perspective
• Grantee: Mauro Galetti Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/24453-4 - Genetic diversity of felids (Puma concolor, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus tigrinus and Puma yagouaroundi) and the mesopredator (Leopardus pardalis) presence effect on density and genetic diversity of the smaller felid species.
• Grantee: Bruno Henrique Saranholi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/19377-7 - The effectiveness of the larger atlantic rainforest corridor in the connectivity maintenance of large bodied mammal populations, such as the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris)
• Grantee: Pedro Manoel Galetti Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/04073-1 - Linking landscape to molecules: genetic analysis of tapir populations (Tapirus terrestris) of the Atlantic rainforest of São Paulo State
• Grantee: Alexandra Sanches
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 19/26436-6 - Reassessment of mammalian species believed to be locally extinct at the Pernambuco endemism center (CEP) from mixed sample DNA and metabarcoding
• Grantee: Carolina da Silva Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral