Cheetah Conservation At The Genetic Level

Summary

Dr. Lori Marker from the Cheetah Conservation Fund discusses the cheetah's genetic challenges, including low genetic diversity and susceptibility to disease, contributing to a 90% decline in the 20th century. She highlights the importance of each individual cheetah and the use of microsatellites to track genetic diversity. The establishment of a high-tech genetics lab in Namibia, supported by Thermo Fisher Scientific, enables local training and international collaboration, aiming to conserve cheetahs and educate communities.

Takeaways

• 🐆 The cheetah is experiencing a significant lack of genetic diversity, which is a critical conservation concern.
• 🌍 Dr. Lori Marker from the Cheetah Conservation Fund is working to raise awareness and funds for cheetah conservation, highlighting the species' 90% decline in the 20th century.
• 🔬 Cheetahs are genetically so similar that they can accept skin grafts from other cheetahs without rejection, indicating a low genetic variation.
• 🦠 The genetic similarity also makes cheetahs susceptible to diseases, with outbreaks capable of causing high mortality rates.
• 🧬 Dr. Marker's team uses microsatellites to track genetic diversity and monitor the health of cheetah populations.
• 🌱 The conservation efforts aim to maintain genetic diversity and prevent further losses in the cheetah population.
• 🏛️ A high-tech genetics lab has been established in Namibia with support from Thermo Fisher Scientific, enhancing the capacity for genetic research.
• 🔬 The lab's upgrade to an Applied Biosystems 3130 genetic analyzer has increased throughput, allowing for more extensive genetic analysis.
• 🌐 The lab serves as a center for international collaboration and invites scientists worldwide to contribute to African wildlife genetics research.
• 🌱 The lab's presence in Africa is pivotal for training local scientists and promoting conservation genetics research without the need to leave the continent.

Q & A

What is the primary concern regarding the cheetah's genetic diversity?

The cheetah is facing a significant lack of genetic diversity, which makes it susceptible to diseases and challenges in reproduction.

Why is Dr. Lori Marker raising funds for cheetah conservation?

Dr. Lori Marker is raising funds to support the conservation efforts for cheetahs, which have experienced a 90% decline in the 20th century due to human activities.

What is the significance of the cheetah's genetic similarity?

The genetic similarity among cheetahs is so high that they can accept skin grafts from other cheetahs without rejection, highlighting their limited genetic diversity.

How has the cheetah's genetic diversity affected its health?

The lack of genetic diversity in cheetahs has led to high concentrations of abnormal sperm, which impacts their reproductive success.

What role does the major histocompatibility complex play in the cheetah's susceptibility to diseases?

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in cheetahs is less diverse, making them more susceptible to diseases, as evidenced by outbreaks that have caused significant mortality.

How does the use of microsatellites contribute to cheetah conservation?

Microsatellites are used to create a genetic footprint for each cheetah, allowing researchers to track relatedness and manage populations more effectively.

What is the purpose of the high-tech genetics lab established by Dr. Marker's team?

The genetics lab is used to analyze DNA from cheetahs, helping to understand their genetic diversity and to develop conservation strategies to protect the species.

How has the collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific benefited the cheetah conservation lab?

Thermo Fisher Scientific has supported the lab with genetic analyzers and technical support, which has significantly increased the lab's capabilities and throughput.

What is the significance of the cheetah conservation lab being the only one of its kind on the African continent?

The lab's unique position allows it to serve as a model for other African scientists, promoting local expertise and enabling conservation genetics research without the need to leave the continent.

How does the cheetah conservation fund plan to use the genetic information gathered?

The genetic information is used to advise governments on the importance of maintaining cheetah populations and to develop conservation programs, including creating wildlife corridors and preserving large landscapes.

What are the long-term goals of the cheetah conservation efforts as described in the script?

The long-term goals include maintaining genetic diversity, preventing further population decline, and changing the face of Africa by establishing a model for local conservation genetics research.