S collected from more locations and investigate different genetic markers. In

S collected from more locations and investigate different genetic markers. In the conservation of great apes, it is important to prioritize areas with high genetic diversity and to preserve unique haplotypes. Therefore, the current study showing the distribution of haplotypes in a broad bonobo habitat will hopefully contribute to the planning of bonobo conservation.Materials and Methods Sampling Populations and MethodsDNA sampling was performed at natural sites in bonobo habitats in the DRC from July 2010 to March 2012. We collected fecal samples of wild bonobos from seven distinct populations in the DRC (Figure 1). Basic information regarding each research site has been described for various bonobo populations, including the TL2 population in the south [26], Iyondji and Wamba [15,27], Salonga [28], Lomako [29], and Lac Tumba and Malebo [30]. Most bonobo habitats are covered with thick tropical rainforest. The fecal samples collected in Malebo and areas south of the TL2 population, however, were found in savannah-forest mosaic vegetation. Few geographical barriers to migration were present among the study populations, except for some tributaries of the Congo River or deep swampy forest. When we found feces under nests, we estimated the freshness of the nest (most were less than a day old), the number of nests, and latitude and longitude using a global positioning system (GPS). For well-habituated groups, main parties were followed from nest to nest and feces were collected when bonobos defecated during direct observation. The sampling never interacted or interfered with bonobos because samples were obtained non-invasively under the nested tree or directly from the nest after leaving of the host. We also estimated the size (large, medium, small) and hardness (solid, intermediate, soft) of the feces to check health status and to estimate the recovery rate of the mtDNA. To estimate genetic Table 5. Calculations of AIC using GLM for two-factor models.diversity within a population, we collected fecal samples from two or more groups for each population. The sampling MedChemExpress Imazamox HDAC-IN-3 cost procedure was as follows. First, a dry cotton swab was rolled on the surface of the fecal sample as extensively as possible. Second, the end of the cotton swab was washed in lysis buffer to shake the feces off the cotton swab. This swabbing procedure was performed at least three times to collect cells. Third, each fecal sample was turned over and steps 1 and 2 of the collection process were repeated using the other side of the cotton swab. Fourth, the tube caps were fastened and the sample number was marked on each tube. The Scientific Authority for CITES and National Scientific Committee for the Worldwide Heritage of UNESCO in DRC has confirmed that we can publish the results obtained from the fecal samples of bonobos carried out from DRC as far as we have research permission that includes the permission to use those samples. Research Permissions during this study were issued by following authorities: 024/ICCN/BP-MA/2010 (for TL2), 051/ ICCN/DG/ADG/KV/2011 (for Lomako), 1577/ICCN/ADG/ ANG/DG/2008 (for Salonga) were given by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). MIN.RS/SG/002/ 2010 (for Iyondji), MIN.RS/SG/003/2010 (for Wamba), 008// MINRS/CREF/MAB/DG/01MNIK/2011 (for Lac Tumba) were given by Ministere de la Recherche Scientifique (MIN). ` 001/CREF/2012 (for Malebo) was given by the Centre de Recherche en Ecologie et Foresterie (CREF).DNA SamplesA total.S collected from more locations and investigate different genetic markers. In the conservation of great apes, it is important to prioritize areas with high genetic diversity and to preserve unique haplotypes. Therefore, the current study showing the distribution of haplotypes in a broad bonobo habitat will hopefully contribute to the planning of bonobo conservation.Materials and Methods Sampling Populations and MethodsDNA sampling was performed at natural sites in bonobo habitats in the DRC from July 2010 to March 2012. We collected fecal samples of wild bonobos from seven distinct populations in the DRC (Figure 1). Basic information regarding each research site has been described for various bonobo populations, including the TL2 population in the south [26], Iyondji and Wamba [15,27], Salonga [28], Lomako [29], and Lac Tumba and Malebo [30]. Most bonobo habitats are covered with thick tropical rainforest. The fecal samples collected in Malebo and areas south of the TL2 population, however, were found in savannah-forest mosaic vegetation. Few geographical barriers to migration were present among the study populations, except for some tributaries of the Congo River or deep swampy forest. When we found feces under nests, we estimated the freshness of the nest (most were less than a day old), the number of nests, and latitude and longitude using a global positioning system (GPS). For well-habituated groups, main parties were followed from nest to nest and feces were collected when bonobos defecated during direct observation. The sampling never interacted or interfered with bonobos because samples were obtained non-invasively under the nested tree or directly from the nest after leaving of the host. We also estimated the size (large, medium, small) and hardness (solid, intermediate, soft) of the feces to check health status and to estimate the recovery rate of the mtDNA. To estimate genetic Table 5. Calculations of AIC using GLM for two-factor models.diversity within a population, we collected fecal samples from two or more groups for each population. The sampling procedure was as follows. First, a dry cotton swab was rolled on the surface of the fecal sample as extensively as possible. Second, the end of the cotton swab was washed in lysis buffer to shake the feces off the cotton swab. This swabbing procedure was performed at least three times to collect cells. Third, each fecal sample was turned over and steps 1 and 2 of the collection process were repeated using the other side of the cotton swab. Fourth, the tube caps were fastened and the sample number was marked on each tube. The Scientific Authority for CITES and National Scientific Committee for the Worldwide Heritage of UNESCO in DRC has confirmed that we can publish the results obtained from the fecal samples of bonobos carried out from DRC as far as we have research permission that includes the permission to use those samples. Research Permissions during this study were issued by following authorities: 024/ICCN/BP-MA/2010 (for TL2), 051/ ICCN/DG/ADG/KV/2011 (for Lomako), 1577/ICCN/ADG/ ANG/DG/2008 (for Salonga) were given by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). MIN.RS/SG/002/ 2010 (for Iyondji), MIN.RS/SG/003/2010 (for Wamba), 008// MINRS/CREF/MAB/DG/01MNIK/2011 (for Lac Tumba) were given by Ministere de la Recherche Scientifique (MIN). ` 001/CREF/2012 (for Malebo) was given by the Centre de Recherche en Ecologie et Foresterie (CREF).DNA SamplesA total.