Population survey and genetic diversity of snow leopard (Uncia uncia) in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as revealed by fecal DNA

With noninvasive sampling, 277 fecal samples were collected from dominant distribution areas of snow leopard (Uncia uncia), including Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve (Qinghai Province), Qiangtang National Nature Reserve (Tibet Autonomous Region) and Nanshan area (Danghe, Gansu Province). Species identification, individual recognition and genetic diversity were explored by analysing the mtDNA cytb gene fragment and microsatellite loci. The results showed that 190 samples were successfully amplified and sequenced in 277 fecal samples. 89 samples were identified as snow leopard and they belonged to 48 individuals. 9 haplotypes and 13 diversity sites were found in the 48 mtDNA cytb gene fragments. The haplotype diversity was 0.776, the nucleotide diversity was 1.50% and the genetic distance among 9 haplotypes ranged from 0.009 to 0.058. According to the results, we postulate that snow leopards among these areas have significant genetic variation in the mtDNA cytb gene fragments. The samples distributed in Qiangtang National Nature Reserve and Nanshan area have significant genetic distance.