The Genetic Diversity and Population Genetic Structure of the Red Panda Ailurus fulgens in Zoos in China

摘要

Red pandas ( ) have been listed as one of the endangered species in China and worldwide. In order to protect the populations as well as to avoid the inbreeding depression in wildlife, monitoring the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of red pandas is necessary. By analyzing the captive red pandas among the zoos in China using PCR and genotyping, we found a high genetic diversity among the populations as high as that of the wild population. This demonstrate the current scientifically-based breeding program can keep the high genetic diversity in captive red pandas.