| Summary: | Little is known about the molecular genetic variation of Ground Pangolin populations in
South Africa. In this study it was attempted to assess the genetic diversity of the
populations, but this could not be achieved due to insufficient crossâspecies markers
amplification. It should, however, be emphasized that the molecular work done in this
study is novel, and that the results found during this research are key foundations for
future studies. During sample collection it was found that three main populations of
Ground Pangolins exist in South Africa in the Eastern, Western and Central parts of the
country. Isolation protocols have been optimized, and it has been shown that noninvasive
samples yield good quality and quantity DNA that is usable for downâstream
applications and perform as well as invasive samples. The PCR protocol was optimized,
and the results from the optimization chapter will be of assistance when speciesâspecific
markers are optimized. This study has also shown the need for the development of
speciesâspecific markers, and the use of said markers will give a better indication of the
genetic diversity of the Ground Pangolin populations in South Africa. From the
statistical analysis it would seem that there are some correlations between the three
sampling localities which may indicate a population divergence at some point. Based on
the genetic diversity results, it appears that the diversity within Ground Pangolin
populations is much lower based on the markers tested than in Malayan Pangolin
populations. This will however have to be confirmed with speciesâspecific markers.
|
|---|
