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Author Aruge, S., Batool, H., Khan, F. M., Abbas, F. I., Janjua, S
Title A pilot study�genetic diversity and population structure of snow leopards of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, using molecular techniques. Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication PeerJ Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue 7672 Pages (down) 1-14
Keywords Population, Genetics, Panthera uncia, Pakistan, Molecular markers
Abstract Background: The Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountain ranges in Pakistan�s northern areas are a natural habitat of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia syn. Uncia uncia) but the ecological studies on this animal are scarce since it is human shy by nature and lives in dif!cult mountainous tracts. The pilot study is conducted to exploit the genetic diversity and population structure of the snow leopard in this selected natural habitat of the member of the wildcat family in Pakistan.

Method: About 50 putative scat samples of snow leopard from !ve localities of Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan) along with a control sample of zoo maintained male snow leopard were collected for comparison. Signi!cant quality and quantity of genomic DNA was extracted from scat samples using combined Zhang�phenol�chloroform method and successful ampli!cation of cytochrome c oxidase I gene (190 bp) using mini-barcode primers, seven simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and Y-linked AMELY gene (200 bp) was done.

Results: Cytochrome c oxidase I gene sequencing suggested that 33/50 (66%) scat samples were of snow leopard. AMELY primer suggested that out of 33 ampli!ed samples, 21 (63.63%) scats were from male and 12 (36.36%) from female leopards. Through successful ampli!cation of DNA of 25 out of 33 (75.75%) scat samples using SSR markers, a total of 68 alleles on seven SSR loci were identi!ed, showing low heterozygosity, while high gene "ow between population.

Discussion: The low gene flow rate among the population results in low genetic diversity causing decreased diversi!cation. This affects the adaptability to climatic changes, thus ultimately resulting in decreased population size of the species.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1491
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Author Vannelli, K., Hampton, M. P., Namgail, T., Black, S. A.
Title Community participation in ecotourism and its effect on local perceptions of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) conservation Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Human Dimensions of Wildlife Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) 1-14
Keywords Instrumental value; snow leopard; perceptions; ecotourism; human–wildlife conflict
Abstract Local support and involvement is often essential for effective

wildlife conservation. This study assessed the impact of local

involvement in ecotourism schemes on perceptions of wildlife, promotion

of conservation action, types of values that communities placed on

wildlife, and contexts in which wildlife are considered to be most

valuable. The study used qualitative semi-structured interviews

conducted in seven villages in Ladakh, India, which is an important

region of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habitat. Results indicated that

in these communities, ecotourism-based interventions encourage more

positive perceptions of wildlife species, in particular the snow

leopard. Achieving change in community perceptions of wildlife is key

when implementing ecotourism schemes to enable more effective

conservation, as well as generating local awareness and value for

wildlife toward problematic keystone species such as the snow leopard,

which are frequently the focus of human-wildlife conflict.
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Call Number Serial 1607
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Author Watts, S. W., McCarthy, T. M., Namgail, T.
Title Modelling potential habitat for snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in Ladakh, India Type Research Article
Year 2019 Publication Plos One Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down) 1-14
Keywords
Abstract The snow leopard Panthera uncia is an elusive species

inhabiting some of the most remote and inaccessible tracts of Central

and South Asia. It is difficult to determine its distribution and

density pattern, which are crucial for developing conservation

strategies. Several techniques for species detection combining camera

traps with remote sensing and geographic information systems have been

developed to model the habitat of such cryptic and low-density species

in challenging terrains. Utilising presence-only data from camera traps

and direct observations, alongside six environmental variables

(elevation, aspect, ruggedness, distance to water, land cover, and prey

habitat suitability), we assessed snow leopard habitat suitability

across Ladakh in northern India. This is the first study to model snow

leopard distribution both in India and utilising direct observation

data. Results suggested that elevation and ruggedness are the two most

influential environmental variables for snow leopard habitat

suitability, with highly suitable habitat having an elevation range of

2,800 m to 4,600 m and ruggedness of 450 m to 1,800 m. Our habitat

suitability map estimated approximately 12% of Ladakh’s geographical

area (c. 90,000 km2) as highly suitable and 18% as medium suitability.

We found that 62.5% of recorded livestock depredation along with over

half of all livestock corrals (54%) and homestays (58%) occurred within

highly suitable snow leopard habitat. Our habitat suitability model can

be used to assist in allocation of conservation resources by targeting

construction of livestock corrals to areas of high habitat suitability

and promoting ecotourism programs in villages in highly suitable snow

leopard habitat.
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Call Number Serial 1608
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Author Esson, C. , Skerratt, L. F. , Berger, L. , Malmsten, J., Strand, T. , Lundkvist, A., Järhult, J. D., Michaux, J., Mijiddorj, T. N., , Bayrakçısmith, R., Mishra, C., Johansson, O
Title Health and zoonotic Infections of snow leopards Panthera unica in the South Gobi desert of Mongolia Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Infection Ecology & Epidemiology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 1604063 Pages (down) 1-11
Keywords Snow leopard; zoonoses; conservation; one health; Mongolia; ticks
Abstract Background: Snow leopards, Panthera uncia, are a threatened apex predator, scattered across the mountains of Central and South Asia. Disease threats to wild snow leopards have not been investigated.

Methods and Results: Between 2008 and 2015, twenty snow leopards in the South Gobi desert of Mongolia were captured and immobilised for health screening and radio-collaring. Blood samples and external parasites were collected for pathogen analyses using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and next- generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. The animals showed no clinical signs of disease, however, serum antibodies to significant zoonotic pathogens were detected. These patho- gens included, Coxiella burnetii, (25% prevalence), Leptospira spp., (20%), and Toxoplasma gondii (20%). Ticks collected from snow leopards contained potentially zoonotic bacteria from the genera Bacillus, Bacteroides, Campylobacter, Coxiella, Rickettsia, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.

Conclusions: The zoonotic pathogens identified in this study, in the short-term did not appear to cause illness in the snow leopards, but have caused illness in other wild felids. Therefore, surveillance for pathogens should be implemented to monitor for potential longer- term disease impacts on this snow leopard population.
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Call Number Serial 1625
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Author Janjua,S., Peters, J. L., Weckworth, B., Abbas, F. I., Bahn, Volker, Johansson, O., Rooney, T.P.
Title Improving our conservation genetic toolkit: ddRAD-seq for SNPs in snow leopards Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Conservation Genetic Resource Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down)
Keywords
Abstract Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are an enigmatic, high-altitude species whose challenging habitat, low population densities

and patchy distribution have presented challenges for scientists studying its biology, population structure, and genetics.

Molecular scatology brings a new hope for conservation efforts by providing valuable insights about snow leopards, including

their distribution, population densities, connectivity, habitat use, and population structure for assigning conservation units.

However, traditional amplification of microsatellites from non-invasive sources of DNA are accompanied by significant

genotyping errors due to low DNA yield and poor quality. These errors can lead to incorrect inferences in the number of

individuals and estimates of genetic diversity. Next generation technologies have revolutionized the depth of information

we can get from a species' genome. Here we used double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq),

a well-established technique for studying non-model organisms, to develop a reference sequence library for snow leopards

using blood samples from five Mongolian individuals. Our final data set reveals 4504 loci with a median size range of 221 bp.

We identified 697 SNPs and low nucleotide diversity (0.00032) within these loci. However, the probability that two random

individuals will share identical genotypes is about 10-168. We developed probes for DNA capture using this sequence library

which can now be used for genotyping individuals from scat samples. Genetic data from ddRAD-seq will be invaluable for

conducting population and landscape scale studies that can inform snow leopard conservation strategies.
Address Snow leopard · ddRAD-seq · Next generation sequencing · SNP discovery
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1483
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Author Farhadinia, M. S., Maheshwari, A., Nawaz, M. A., Ambarli, H., Gritsina, M. A., Koshkin, M. A., Rosen, T., Hinsley, A., Macdonald, D. W.
Title Belt and Road Initiative may create new supplies for illegal wildlife trade in large carnivores Type Miscellaneous
Year 2019 Publication Nature Ecology & Evolution Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages (down)
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Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1487
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