Status of the Gobi bear in Mongolia as determined by noninvasive genetic methods

Abstract

Abstract A relict population of unique desert dwelling brown bears (Ursus arctos) inhabits a series of remote oases along the southern portion of the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area in Mongolia. Little is known about these bears, which may number as few as 25 animals. We used noninvasive genetic techniques in an attempt to estimate minimum population size, determine sex ratios, and evaluate genetic diversity and degree of isolation between population centers. Between 1996 and 1998 we collected 200 hair samples using hair-traps from rub posts and attempted to amplify 6 microsatellite loci for 75 samples with 3 or more follicles. Microsatellite amplification rates were low (63%), and 3 loci were monomorphic. Complete genotypes could be obtained for only 28 samples, which provided a minimum count of 8 bears. Observed heterozygosity (0.29) and average number of alleles (2) were very low compared to other brown bear populations. Genetic data were obtained for only 2 of the 3 population centers, and sample s...