Jaguars from the Brazilian Pantanal: Low genetic structure, male-biased dispersal, and implications for long-term conservation

Abstract

Habitat loss and fragmentation are important threats to carnivores worldwide and are especially intense for large predators. Jaguars have been extirpated from over half of their original distribution, and few regions still maintain large populations. The Pantanal is among the best examples of such regions and can be used to better understand several aspects of jaguar biology that are relevant for conservation planning throughout the species' range. Thus, in this study we used microsatellite markers and field data to: (i) assess the genetic structure and gene flow of jaguars ( n = 110) from the northern and southern Pantanal; (ii) verify if females are more philopatric than males; (iii) produce a timeline pedigree to allow the identification of distances from offspring to their mothers; and (iv) estimate the generation time for jaguars. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that Pantanal jaguars represent a panmictic population, although exhibiting some degree of local differentiation. The Paraguay River seems to be an important factor promoting gene flow among the studied populations, highlighting its relevance for regional conservation efforts. Our data provide the first genetic evidence of female philopatry and male-biased dispersal in jaguars. In addition, we report the first timeline pedigree for a wild jaguar population and the first direct estimate of the species' generation time. Our results contribute to the construction of more realistic assessments of jaguar population dynamics and long-term genetic viability, thus contributing to the design of improved conservation strategies on behalf of this species.