Genetic
analysis of northern and southern white rhinos reveals new information for
species conservation
Date: November 7, 2018
Source: Cardiff University
New genetic
analysis of white rhino populations suggests it could be possible to rescue the
critically endangered northern white rhinoceros from extinction, using the
genes of its less threatened southern cousin.
Analysing
genetic samples from 232 rhinos, researchers from Cardiff University and the
University of Venda found that despite the northern and southern populations of
white rhinos splitting from each other one million years ago they have
occasionally shared genes during cold and arid periods, when African grasslands
expanded, as recent as 14,000 years ago.
Dr Isa-Rita
Russo from Cardiff University, said: "By looking at the white rhino's
population history we've been able to establish that there was contact between
northern and southern rhino populations throughout history.
"This
is an exciting find! Genetic proof of contact between the populations suggests
it may be possible to successfully rescue the northern white rhinoceros using
southern white rhinoceros genes to create embryos, although further data would
need to be collected to confirm this."
White
rhinoceros distribution across Africa is divided into populations in the north
and south. The southern population declined to its lowest number around the
turn of the nineteenth century, but recovered to become the world's most
numerous rhinoceros. In contrast, the northern population was common during
much of the twentieth century, declining rapidly since the 1970s, leaving only
two remaining post-reproductive rhinos.
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