Genetic monitoring of grey wolves in Serbia

Abstract

Genetic monitoring is a crucial aspect of an effective wildlife conservation strategy. Application of molecular markers in the study of natural populations of large mammals provides information about their genetic variability and indicates its potential for adaptation and survival. Continuous genetic monitoring provides insight into temporal changes in genetic diversity and highlights necessity for conservation actions in case of its decrease. As a major predator, grey wolf was a widespread species in the past; however, as is the case with other large mammals, wolves have faced a drastic decline in population size during the last two centuries. In Serbia, wolves play a key role in maintaining the structure and function of the ecosystems by regulating predator-prey relationship. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the genetic diversity of the Serbian grey wolf population, as well as to identify any changes in genetic variability level as compared to the results obtained for the same population over the last several years. Genomic DNA was extracted from 49 grey wolves muscle tissue samples collected across central Serbia during the regular hunts in 2020 and chosen microsatellites loci were amplified by PCR. Individuals were genotyped by panel of 22 microsatellites markers, 21 autosomal and amelogenin sex determination locus (Canine ISAG STR Parentage Kit). Genetic variability parameters were calculated in GenAlEx and GENEPOP. The number of alleles per locus varied between 16 in the case of AHT121 and 5 alleles for FH2848 locus, with the average number of alleles per locus of 8.286, and the number of effective alleles of 4.467. Overall expected heterozygosity (0.747) was higher than the observed heterozygosity (0.694), with an average coefficient of inbreeding (FIS) over all loci of 0.082. Results of this study show that the genetic diversity of this population is high and that in comparison to previous studies of the same population conducted in the last couple of years, it can be concluded that the wolf population in Serbia is currently stable.