Hunting pressure and the population genetic patterns and sex-mediated dispersal in the Guinea Baboon in Guinea-Bissau

Ferreira Da Silva, Maria Joana 2012. Hunting pressure and the population genetic patterns and sex-mediated dispersal in the Guinea Baboon in Guinea-Bissau. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

In Guinea-Bissau (GB) the Guinea baboon (Papio hamadryas papio) is threatened by hunting pressure. Along with local extinctions, these practices may be inducing long-term genetic changes and disrupting underlying social structure. In this study, the bushmeat trade in GB was evaluated for the first time and the effect of hunting practices on the genetic diversity and population structure was investigated. By following the bushmeat trade at urban markets, we found baboons to be the third most traded primate species. Male baboon carcasses were sold at a price 60% higher than any other primate due to their larger body mass. Semi-structured interviews conducted with hunters revealed a preference towards male baboons and recent difficulty in finding this primates species. Non-invasive DNA sampling in southern GB and two different genetic markers (fourteen microsatellite loci and a fragment of the mitochondrial control region) suggested substantial levels of genetic diversity and recent genetic contact between different populations. However, geographic distances had a weak effect on population structure and the genetic discontinuities found were not related with landscape features. A contact zone was identified. Here, gene flow seems to be unidirectional and admixed individuals were in higher proportion. Hunting pressure may have induced recent contact between genetically differentiated individuals, which now co-exist in the same social unit. Additionally, the sex-specific patterns of gene flow and the composition of social units were compared with a non-hunted Guinea baboon population, using a molecular sex determination protocol and thirteen microsatellite loci. GB displayed a lower ratio of males within social units, which are formed in some cases by unrelated individuals. The clear female-biased dispersal pattern displayed in Senegal was less intense in GB, where gene flow seems to be mediated through both sexes. The aforementioned contact zone resulted from male immigration. Male baboon dispersal in GB could be the result of flight behaviour or a consequence of an altered sex ratio induced by hunting practices. The GB baboons displayed signs of a disrupted population and its future conservation requires specific actions to reduce or eliminate this activity.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Biosciences
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GT Manners and customs Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics Q Science > QL Zoology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	primates, baboons, Guinea baboons, Papio, habitat modification, human-wildlife conflicts, crop raiding, populations, persecution, extinction, anthropogenic, habitat loss, hunting, harvesting, hunters, genetic changes, genetic diversity, gene flow, isolation, demographic declines, social structure, genetic pattern, threat, non-invasive DNA, Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, Africa, bushmeat, trade, urban markets, Senegal, generalist, conservation, preservation, interviews, qualitative information, traditional medicine, skins, witchcraft, urban markets, sex-biased dispersal patterns, microsatellites, loci, mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA, chimpanzees,
Funders:	Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) by a PhD grant (reference: SFRH / BD / 37417 / 2007, QREN - POPH – 4.1 Tipology, European Social Fund and MCTES)
Related URLs:	Project
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 09:16
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/37322

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