% pubman genre = article @article{item_2561249, title = {{Population-level assessment of genetic diversity and habitat fragmentation in critically endangered Grauer{\textquotesingle}s gorillas}}, author = {Baas, Pauline and van der Valk, Tom and Vigilant, Linda and Ngobobo, Urbain and Binyinyi, Escobar and Nishuli, Radar and Caillaud, Damien and Guschanski, Katerina}, language = {eng}, issn = {1096-8644}, doi = {10.1002/ajpa.23393}, publisher = {Wiley-Liss}, address = {New York}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-03}, abstract = {{Objectives{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}The critically endangered Grauer{\textquotesingle}s gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) has experienced an estimated 77{\textpercent} population decline within a single generation. Although crucial for informed conservation decisions, there is no clear understanding about population structure and distribution of genetic diversity across the species{\textquotesingle} highly fragmented range. We fill this gap by studying several core and peripheral Grauer{\textquotesingle}s gorilla populations throughout their distribution range.{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}Materials and Methods{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}We generated genetic profiles for a sampling of an unstudied population of Grauer{\textquotesingle}s gorillas from within the species{\textquotesingle} core range at 13 autosomal microsatellite loci and combined them with previously published and newly generated data from four other Grauer{\textquotesingle}s gorilla populations, two mountain gorilla populations, and one western lowland gorilla population.{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}Results{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}In agreement with previous studies, the genetic diversity of Grauer{\textquotesingle}s gorillas is intermediate, falling between western lowland and mountain gorillas. Among Grauer{\textquotesingle}s gorilla populations, we observe lower genetic diversity and high differentiation in peripheral compared with central populations, indicating a strong effect of genetic drift and limited gene flow among small, isolated forest fragments.{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}Discussion{\textless}br{\textgreater}{\textless}br{\textgreater}Although genetically less diverse, peripheral populations are frequently essential for the long-term persistence of a species and migration between peripheral and core populations may significantly enrich the overall species genetic diversity. Thus, in addition to central Grauer{\textquotesingle}s gorilla populations from the core of the distribution range that clearly deserve conservation attention, we argue that conservation strategies aiming to ensure long-term species viability should include preserving peripheral populations and enhancing habitat connectivity.}}, journal = {{American Journal of Physical Anthropology}}, volume = {165}, number = {3}, pages = {565--575}, }