A new study led by Australian researchers has delved into the evolutionary history of African leopards (Panthera pardus pardus).
The research, published in PeerJ, sheds light on the genetic makeup of African leopard populations, revealing two distinct genetic groups. One group is widespread across most of Africa, while the other is primarily found in specific regions of South Africa, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga.
The study suggests that these leopard populations diverged from each other between approximately 960,000 to 440,000 years ago. However, what’s surprising is that they now overlap and interbreed in the Highveld region of South Africa, leading to a significant level of genetic diversity.
Lead author Declan Morris, who conducted the study as part of his PhD at the University of Adelaide, explains that the research involved compiling a comprehensive dataset of leopard mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
Through genetic mapping and modeling, the researchers traced the divergence of the two leopard lineages back to the aridification of the Limpopo basin around 1 million to 600,000 years ago. This geological event separated the leopard populations, with the arid desert acting as a barrier.
However, the landscape has since changed, and the once-arid Limpopo basin has become a subtropical region where the two populations have recombined and are now interbreeding. This phenomenon has resulted in the observed high levels of genetic diversity.
The findings highlight the importance of conservation efforts to protect leopard populations, especially in regions where genetic diversity is at risk. Morris emphasizes that these discoveries can influence management decisions, such as prioritizing translocation over issuing destruction permits for problematic animals.
Moving forward, the researchers plan to further explore the genetic data using whole-genome sequencing. Despite the challenges, Morris is eager to continue his research in South Africa, building upon the insights gained from this study.
