Conservation Genetics of Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo abelii)

Abstract

Sumatran orangutan orangutans (Pongo abelii ) are one of the 25 critically endangered species in the world, endemic to Indonesia. As opposed to orangutanorangutans in Borneo, studies about population and conservation genetics of orangut an species in Sumatra are still rare, although this species need needs more urgent attention due to its small er population size and drastic habitat loss. This study was designdesigned to establish the Sumatran orangutan orangutans’ population genetics database database, using sample co llections from almost all currently existing ha bitats. The study also combine combines the genetic information with its demographic historyhistory, to acknowledge their unique population s, le leading to the species species’ taxonomic classification and conservation units. This st udy was dividedivided into three topics topics, using three genetic markers (autosomal loci, hypervariable region I mitochondrial DNA and Y Y-chromosomechromosome), with different sample size sizes and methods approach. The genetic samples were collected from nine sampling locations in Aceh and North Sumatra. In the first studystudy, a combined analysis of the autosomal loci, evolutionary paternal and maternal lineages with the genetic diversity pattern over populations is clarify ing the Sumatran orangutan population genetics, defining the f our present population habitathabitats in the wild. In the second study, private alleles of specific location habitathabitats were observe observed using 28 autosomal loci to look up the allelic variation within and between populations. In the last study, 52 diagnostic of singl single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were spe cified from 20 haplotypes using the evolutionary matrilineal genetic marker as Sumatran orangutan populations “DNA fingerprinting”fingerprinting”. In general, t his study aims to help establish ing the Sumatran orangutan conservat ion units. A new taxonomic classification is recommendedrecommended, splitting population s from the north and south of Lake Toba into two evolutionary significant units (ESUs) or two subspecies , as well as specify ing three distinct population segments (DPSs; one in t he south and two in the north area of Lake Toba , the northern area of Lake Toba is divided by the large Alas River riverine barrierbarrier). In addition, it is aiming to provide important information on specific population s, to identify the origin of their indivi duals and to simplify the decision making on the re re-introduction program s. It also addresses the requirements by the “Strategi dan Rencana Aksi Konservasi Orangutan Indonesia periode 2007 2007-2017” (Conservation Strategy and Action Plan of Indonesian Orangutan, period 2007 – 2017)