Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 April 2024 | 16(4): 25019–25028

 

 

ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) 

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8190.16.4.25019-25028

#8190 | Received 14 September 2022 | Final received 07 December 2023 | Finally accepted 25 March 2023

 

 

Mitochondrial CO1 gene haplotype diversity of Sumatran Tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae (Pocock, 1929) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae)

 

Ashrifurrahman 1, Saruedi Simamora 2, Rusdiyan Ritonga 3, Wilson Novarino 4, Djong Hon Tjong 5 , Rizaldi 6, Syaifullah 7  & Dewi Imelda Roesma 8

 

1,4,5,6,7,8 Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Andalas University, Limau Manis, Padang 25175,

West Sumatra, Indonesia.

2 Dharmasraya Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center – ARSARI Djojohadikusumo Foundation (PR-HSD Yayasan ARSARI Djojohadikusumo), Dharmasraya, West Sumatra, Indonesia.

3 Conservation of Natural Resources Office (KSDA) Padang 25173, West Sumatra, Indonesia.

1 ashrifurrahman@gmail.com, 2 saruedisimamora@gmail.com, 3 ritonga_yan@yahoo.co.id, 4 wilsonnovarino@sci.unand.ac.id,

5 djonghontjong@sci.unand.ac.id, 6 rizaldi@sci.unand.ac.id, 7 syaifullah@sci.unand.ac.id,

8 dewiroesma@sci.unand.ac.id (corresponding author)

 

 

Abstract: Sumatran Tigers Panthera tigris sumatrae inhabit 12 tiger conservation landscapes that stretch across Sumatra Island. Conservation efforts for these species require robust, information-based research, including a genetic approach. This study analyzed the haplotype diversity of P. t. sumatrae based on the mitochondrial CO1 (Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit 1) gene. Specifically, a nucleotide guanine at position 121 was found, distinguishing P. t. sumatrae from other tiger subspecies. Among the 17 sequences of P. t. sumatrae, two haplotypes were detected: 13 individuals were in haplotype 1 (Hap_1), and four individuals were in haplotype 2 (Hap_2). Hap_1 individuals predominantly originated from Riau and North Sumatra, while Hap_2 individuals were primarily from West Sumatra. Haplotype diversity (Hd) (0.382±0.113) and nucleotide diversity (pi) (0.00038±0.00011) confirmed the low genetic diversity. Five seized samples exhibited Hap_2, suggesting they might have originated from Riau and North Sumatra. However, this result cannot be described as current due to the significant changes in P. t. sumatrae habitat. Further genetic studies, such as whole-genome analysis, are needed to detect the origin and variation of P. t. sumatrae across all landscapes.

 

Keywords: Forest lost, genetic diversity, Illegal trade, mtDNA, PCR, population interactions, species identification, Sumatran forest, wildlife genetic, wildlife forensic.

 

Bahasa: Harimau Sumatera Panthera tigris sumatrae menempati 12 area lanskap Panthera tigris yang berada di sepanjang Pulau Sumatera. Usaha konservasi spesies ini telah banyak dilakukan dengan melakukan berbagai macam riset, termasuk dengan pendekatan genetika. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menganalisis diversitas haplotipe dari P. t. sumatrae berdasarkan gen Cytochrome Oxidase Sub Unit 1 (CO1) DNA mitokondria (mtDNA). Dua haplotip ditemukan dari total 17 sekuen sampel P. t. sumatrae dengan komposisi 13 individu memiliki haplotip 1 (Hap_1) dan empat individu memiliki haplotip 2 (Hap_2). Haplotip 1 (H_1) cenderung terdapat pada individu-individu dari Provinsi Riau dan Provinsi Sumatera Utara. Haplotip 2 (H_2) cenderung terdapat pada individu-individu dari Provinsi Sumatera Barat. Nilai diversitas haplotipe (0.382) dan diversitas nukleotida (pi) (0.00038) menunjukkan rendahnya variasi genetik dari semua individu yang dianalisis. Lima sampel yang berasal dari sitaan kasus perdagangan ilegal memiliki haplotip 2 yang berarti dapat diasumsikan cenderung berasal dari Riau and Sumatera Utara. Hasil ini tentu belum dapat mendeskripsikan asal sampel P. t. sumatrae secara akurat dikarenakan keterbatasan sampel dan habitat P. t. sumatrae yang luas. Selain itu perubahan fungsi habitat yang berubah secara signifikan mengharuskan perlunya dilakukan analisis DNA lengkap P. t. sumatrae dari individu-individu pada populasi di semua lanskap yang tersisa.

 

 

Editor: Mandar Paingankar, Government Science College Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India.        Date of publication: 26 April 2024 (online & print)

 

Citation: Ashrifurrahman, S. Simamora, R. Ritonga, W. Novarino, D.H. Tjong, Rizaldi, Syaifullah & D.I. Roesma (2024). Mitochondrial CO1 gene haplotype diversity of Sumatran Tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae (Pocock, 1929) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae). Journal of Threatened Taxa 16(4): 25019–25028. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8190.16.4.25019-25028

  

Copyright: © Ashrifurrahman et al. 2024. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.  JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

 

Funding: The Indonesia Directorate General of Learning and Student Affairs research grant (034/SP2H/LT/DRPM/2020).

 

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

 

Author details: Ashrifurrahman holds MSc from Andalas University. He is experienced in Sumatran tiger genetic conservation, including for forensic purposes with Barcode DNA. He was a volunteer in the Indonesia Covid testing Laboratory from 2020 with the quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction methods. Saruedi Simamora holds BSc from Udayana University and he is a veterinarian and had been working in Dharmasraya Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Centre. Rusdiyan Ritonga educational background is environmental science. He has been working in Conservation of Natural Resources Office (KSDA) of West Sumatra. Wilson Novarino holds a Doctor from the IPB University. His conservation experience focuses on large mammal conservation including Malayan Tapirs and Sumatran Tiger. He is experienced in camera trapping for wildlife conservation. Now, Wilson Novarino as one of Malayan Tapir assessment team in iucnredlis. Djong Hon Tjong is genetic and molecular lecturer in Biology and Medicine Department of Andalas University. He has made a significant contribution in the field of amphibians and reptile on Sumatra island. Rizaldi educational background is in biology and holds his Doctor from Kyoto University (Japan). He did his specialization in primate, especially in the area of primate bahaviour. Syaifullah is a lecturer in the Biology Department of Andalas University. He holds his Doctor from University of Western Sydney (Australia). He is experienced in marine fish genetic conservation. Dewi Imelda Roesma is professor in the Department of Biology of Andalas University. Her educational background is in biology with an focus on genetic conservation. She hold a Doctor from Andalas University and has over 30 year of genetic conservation study and experience, particulary sumatran’n freshwater fish and sumatran tiger genetic diversity. Recently, she has reported the barcoding DNA of freshwater with high throughput DNA sequencing.

 

Author contributions: Ashrifurrahman contributed to sample collection, methodology, formal data analysis and writing original draft. Dewi Imelda Roesma contributed to designing ideas and methodology. Simamora Saruedi and Rusdiyan Ritonga contributed to sample collection. Djong Hon Tjong, Wilson Novarino, Syaifullah, Rizaldi contributed in designing ideas, improving data analysis and manuscripts.

 

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank to the Directorate General of Learning and Student Affairs who provided a student research grant (034/SP2H/LT/DRPM/2020). Our thanks to Ir. Catrini Pratihari Kubontubuh, M.Arch. as the executive director of Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation's (YAD) and Dr. Erly Sukrismanto as the head of Conservation of Natural Resources Office (KSDA) of West Sumatra for helping and providing blood and preserved samples that used in this study. Our appreciation also to Dyta Rabbani Aidil, S.Si for help in the laboratory.

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

The extinction of the Bali Tiger Panthera tigris balica and the Javan Tiger Panthera tigris sondaica led to the Panthera tigris sumatrae being the only tiger subspecies remaining in Indonesia (Seidensticker et al. 1999). The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) categorizes P. t. sumatrae in Appendix I, which means it is prohibited from being traded (Soehartono et al. 2007). P. t. sumatrae naturally inhabits the Sumatran forest ecosystem, exhibiting high adaptability supported by prey availability and access to water sources (Nowell & Jackson 1996; Seidensticker et al. 1999). Additionally, factors such as vegetation density and human activity play crucial roles in determining the existence of P. t. sumatrae (Sanderson et al. 2006; Linkie et al. 2008; Suyadi et al. 2012).

There are 76 tiger conservation landscapes (TCLs) around the world, 12 of them being home to P. t. sumatrae is located on the island of Sumatra, covering approximately 88,000 km2. These TCLs encompass various areas, including Bukit Barisan Selatan, Tesso Nilo, Kerinci Seblat, Bukit Balai Rejang-Selatan, Rimbo Panti-Batang Barat, Leuser, Berbak, Sibolga Kuala Kerumutan, Bukit Rimbang Baling, Rimbo Panti-Batang Timur, and Bukit Tigapuluh (Sanderson et al. 2006). Within these 12 landscapes of P. t. sumatrae, there are 18 conservation areas as well as other forested regions, including protected forests and production forests (Soehartono et al. 2007). Human activities have been a significant cause of forest loss, posing a severe threat to the sustainability of P. t. sumatrae (Seidensticker et al. 1999; Linkie et al. 2003; Wibisono & Pusparini 2010). Between 2000 and 2010, Sumatra saw a 3% loss in its forests (Wilcove et al. 2013), and deforested areas exhibited a 20% lower occupancy rate for P. t. sumatrae compared to areas that remained forested (Wibisono et al. 2011). Empirical evidence has demonstrated that habitat fragmentation, habitat loss, and isolation among populations can lead to changes in genetic composition among living species (Keyghobadi 2007). Consequently, genetic studies of P. t. sumatrae have become increasingly important and are a key focus of research in the 21st century.

Genetic diversity within a population plays a critical role in determining a species’ ability to survive and avoid extinction. Low or diminished genetic diversity can significantly reduce a population’s capacity to adapt to environmental changes and succeed in reproduction (Frankham et al. 2010). Several parameters are used to assess genetic diversity, including genetic distance, haplotype diversity, and nucleotide diversity. A haplotype refers to a group of genes in organisms inherited from the same parent. It is defined as the inheritance of a cluster of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are variations In a single base within DNA sequences among individuals, particularly within the CO1 gene (Frankham et al. 2010; Liang 2013). The CO1 gene is a protein-coding gene located in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and does not undergo recombination because it is maternally inherited (Ladoukakis & Zouros 2017). Consequently, individuals or closely related species will exhibit a high degree of genetic similarity (Folmer et al. 1994).

Recent genetic studies within the felid family have utilized microsatellite loci, as reported by Williamson et al. (2002). They identified an ideal set of 16 microsatellite loci for population genetic analysis. Another study successfully unveiled the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships among the six tiger subspecies worldwide. This investigation employed three genetic markers, including mitochondrial DNA spanning approximately 6.000 bp, the class II gene DRB, and microsatellites. While these markers showed low variation between subspecies, they exhibited significant distinctions in partitioning among subspecies (Luo et al. 2004). The P. t. sumatrae, mitochondrial DNA study was developed with discovered 7891 bp or 46.4% (Kitpipit, Linacre, and Tobe 2009). Previously, Faizah (2008) conducted a study on the mitochondrial DNA genetic markers (Cytochrome b and D-loop) of P. t. sumatrae. The study involved designing primers based on the mitochondrial DNA of Felis catus. Additionally, Kitpipit et al. (2012) reported the identification of five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) specific to Panthera tigris, three specific SNPs in P. t. sumatrae, and three specific SNPs in P. t. tigris, based on an approximately 15.000 bp mitochondrial DNA sequence. 

The utilization of genetic markers for P. t. sumatrae has been extended to various applications, including the reconstruction of P. t. sumatrae pedigrees by targeting the D-loop region, species identification, and phylogenetic analyses through the CO1 gene (Setianingsih 2013; Ashrifurrahman et al. 2022). Additionally, Smith et al. (2018) analyzed the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation on the genetic variation of P. t. sumatrae using microsatellite markers. Their findings indicated that Sumatran forest deforestation did not have a significant effect on the genetic variation of P. t. sumatrae, mainly due to the maintenance of heterozygosity. However, it is crucial to address the deforestation rate promptly to mitigate future risks. In this study, we investigated haplotype diversity and predicted the origin of tiger body part samples traded from three provinces on Sumatra Island. We utilized blood and hair samples from P. t. sumatrae with known origins. This study provides valuable information about the geographical origin of the CO1 haplotype, previously reported by Luo et al. (2004) and Xue et al. (2015), which lacked data on the sample origin.

 

 

Materials and Methods

 

Five seized samples (PTS 1, PTS 3, PTS 5, PTS 6, and PTS 8) of P. t. sumatrae from illegal trading were collected from the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA). These samples consisted of various body parts, including hairs and bones, from P. t. sumatrae that had been confiscated from illegal traffickers arrested by authorities on Sumatra Island. In addition, we obtained nine blood samples (PTS 9, PTS 10, PTS 11, PTS 12, PTS 14, PTS 15, PTS 16, PTS 19, and PTS 20) and one hair sample (PTS 4) from the Dharmasraya Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center (PR-HSD), as shown in Figure 1. The blood samples were collected from P. t. sumatrae individuals that had been evacuated from conflicts with humans in recent years in three provinces (West Sumatra, East Sumatra/Riau, North Sumatra), except for PTS 11, whose origin was unknown. Then, the tigers will be rehabilitated to be released back into their habitat. All collected samples were placed into 1.5 ml microtubes, appropriately labeled, photographed, and stored at room temperature. For validation and comparison with previous studies, we utilized sequence data (mtDNA) of P. t. sumatrae as assessed by (Kitpipit et al. 2012).

Laboratory methods start with DNA isolation for each sample using GeneAll Exgene Genomic DNA micro. Each type of sample used different protocols according to the kit guide. Then, pairs of primers used to amplify CO1 gene segments were performed using forward primers PTSF 5 ‘AGTTACTGCCCATGCCTTTG 3’ and reverse primers PTSR 5 ‘CAGGCCTAGGAAATGCTGAG 3’ (Ashrifurrahman et al. 2022). The primers would amplify 1129 bp of the Sumatran tiger CO1 gene sequences. Finally, PCR reactions were performed using 25μl reaction volume containing 11 μl supermix of bioline, 9 μl nuclease freewater, 1 μl forward primer, 1 μl reverse primer, 3 μl DNA isolate. PCR machine was set to start from predenaturation at 96oC for 1 minute to ensure complete denaturation, then denaturation was carried out at 96oC for 30 seconds, annealing at 50oC for 30 seconds, and elongation at 72oC for 1.5 minutes. The last cycle at 72oC for 3 minutes, this PCR process runs for 40 cycles.

The amplification product was sent to Firstbase Company in Malaysia to be purified and sequencing reaction. The sequencing process used Applied Biosystems highest capacity-based genetic analyzer platforms and used the BigDye® Terminator v3.1 cycle sequencing kit chemistry. The forward and reverse DNA sequences were then combined using the DNA STAR (Burland 2000). The P. t. sumatrae sequences were then aligned using the Clustal X version 1.8. Polymorphism sequence analysis was carried out using DNA sequence polymorphism 5.10. To analyze the changes in the nucleotide base (haplotype), calculating the haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity (Rozas 2009). MEGA (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis) version 7 was used for nucleotide base differences analysis (Kumar et al. 2016). The AMOVA (Analysis of Molecular Variance) and FST (Population-based gene flow measures) analysis was calculated with Arlequin 3.5.2.2 (Excoffier et al. 2010).

Furthermore, the various haplotypes identified in the genetic variation analysis were visually represented on a map using QGIS 3.6. The known coordinates of P. t. sumatrae were inputted into the QGIS software. Each P. t. sumatrae specimen was labeled based on the specific haplotype type that had been determined in the analysis of haplotype diversity. This mapping approach provided a clear visual representation of the distribution of haplotypes among P. t. sumatrae populations.

 

 

Results

 

In total, 17 samples of P. t. sumatrae were sequenced for a 999 bp segment of the mtDNA CO1 gene. The analysis revealed the presence of two distinct mtDNA haplotypes: haplotype 1 (Hap_1), consisting of 13 individuals, and haplotype 2 (Hap_2), which was found in four individuals. Hap_1 included PTS 4, PTS 9, PTS 10, PTS 11, PTS 12, PTS 19, PTS 1, PTS 3, PTS 5, PTS 6, and PTS 8, while Hap_2 was identified in PTS 14, PTS 15, PTS 16, and PTS 20. The accuracy of these haplotypes was verified through a thorough examination of the electropherograms obtained during the sequencing process. The analysis was conducted using the MEGA 7.0 program, and DNA-to-protein translation was applied for amino acid translation. It’s worth noting that the sequence variability observed in other research studies corroborates the mutations found at these specific sites. Additionally, to ensure the accuracy, several amino acid sites were carefully examined and corrected, with the best frame selected from multiple frames generated by the DNA-to-Protein Translation program. Confirmation was also obtained from NCBI data with accession number AEJ88608.1. Lastly, as part of the DNA-to-amino acid translation process, the initial two nucleotide bases (TT) and the final nucleotide base (A) were removed for consistency and accuracy.

The amino acids were obtained from the translation of the 996 nucleotide bases of P. tigris sequences (332 amino acids) with eight various sites (Table 2). Notably, all variations observed in the amino acids were synonymous mutations and transitional mutations. The substitutions detected in the nucleotide base sequences analyzed served to differentiate between tiger subspecies. Specifically, based on subspecies-specific nucleotides, P. t. amoyesis is characterized by guanine at position 17, adenine at 121 and 302, and thymine at 422. On the other hand, P. t. altaica and P. t. corbetti share the same specific nucleotides: adenine at 121, cytosine at 825, and thymine at 920. P. t. corbetti does not have a specific site for this study. Of particular significance is the discovery of a specific nucleotide, guanine at position 121, which serves as a distinctive marker distinguishing P. t. sumatrae from other tiger subspecies (Table 3).

The genetic variation in the P. t. sumatrae population was characterized by two distinct haplotypes: Haplotype 1 (H_1) and Haplotype 2 (H_2), each distinguished by a single nucleotide site. Haplotype 1 (H_1) is characterized by the guanine nucleotide base at position 842, while Haplotype 2 (H_2) features an adenine base at the same position (Table 3). This result aligns with findings by Luo et al. (2004), who reported one nucleotide base variation in eight P. t. sumatrae samples based on a 409 bp segment of the CO1 gene sequence. Five of these individuals had guanine at position 7382 bp, while the remaining three had adenine bases. Furthermore, Xue et al. (2015) examined five P. t. sumatrae museum samples using the same primers as Luo et al. (2004), with four samples having guanine bases and one sample featuring adenine bases in the same order as previously reported. Despite the reporting of haplotypes, the geographical origin of these haplotype samples within P. t. sumatrae has not been previously documented. A map illustrating the distribution of these haplotypes is presented in Figure 2.

Haplotype diversity throughout the population of P. t. sumatrae in this study was low at 0.382 ± 0,113 (Table 1). Haplotype diversity values range from 0 to 1, with values exceeding 0.5 indicating high haplotype diversity, while values below 0.5 suggest low diversity (Curry et al. 2015). The nucleotide diversity (pi) value of the 17 sequences was 0.00038±0,00011  From several previous reports, other tiger subspecies also have low mtDNA nucleotide diversity, including P. t. tigris 0.000355±0.000256, P. t. jacsoni 0.00118±0.000670, respectively.

 

 

Discussion

 

The low levels of haplotype (0.382±0,113) and nucleotide diversity (0.00038±0,00011) were found in P.t. sumatrae from this research. Recent reports on Felidae mtDNA diversity show comparable values. For example, Panthera pardus saxicolor exhibited comparably low diversity levels in haplotypes (0.247) and nucleotides (0.00078) (Farhadinia et al. 2020), Puma concolor mtDNA diversity (0,006) (Caragiulo et al. 2013), In the case of Panthera tigris in the Sundarbans, haplotype diversity was 0.50, and nucleotide diversity was 0.00266 (Aziz et al. 2022). Previous research by Luo et al. (2004), involving the analysis of several gene sequences in mtDNA (4078 bp), consistently reported low nucleotide diversity values (0.00717±0.00444). The levels of genetic variation, whether high or low, as determined by the CO1 gene play a significant role in determining the genetic relatedness between populations and taxa. Lower genetic variation indicates a closer relationship among individuals or populations of living organisms, especially in the case of tigers. This condition has implications for the geographic isolation of tigers, suggesting that they were separated approximately 100,000 years ago (Luo et al. 2004; Xue et al. 2015).

A total 17 individuals were analyzed there were nine individuals have known wild origin. The nine individuals are spread across three provinces on the island of Sumatra. There are four individuals from West Sumatra Province (PTS 12, PTS 15, PTS 16, PTS 20), four individuals from Riau Province (PTS 14, PTS 10, PTS 4, PTS 9), and one individual from North Sumatra Province (PTS 19). These individuals can serve as representatives to determine the distribution of haplotypes forensic samples that unknown origin (PTS 1, PTS 3, PTS 5, PTS 6, PTS 8) and GeneBank data sequences (P. t. sumaterae_JF357969.1 and P. t. sumaterae_JF357970). All P. t. sumatrae forensic samples showed that conceivable from Riau and North Sumatra.

Haplotype 2 (Hap_2) was found in all seized samples of poaching and illegal trade in P. t. sumatrae, suspected from Riau and North Sumatra provinces. However, this assumption is not entirely accurate because Hap_2 also exists in individuals from West Sumatra. This suggests the possibility that confiscated tiger samples could originate from other populations on the island of Sumatra.

For the current number of samples, there was a propensity for all districts to have the same haplotype variation, particularly Riau and West Sumatra. The haplotype distribution indicates the sharing of haplotypes by individuals from West Sumatra and Riau Provinces. Furthermore, the sharing of haplotype 1 (H_1) from Riau and North Sumatra Provinces come to pass. The distribution of haplotypes shown in Figure 2 is not significant indicating the specific haplotypes from each province.

Haplotype distribution in this study indicates that no specific grouping formed between these three provinces. The AMOVA and FST (Population-based gene flow measures) analysis was calculated with Arlequin 3.5.2.2 (Excoffier et al. 2010). FST was not calculated between areas within the North Sumatra population due to contributing only one sample that would have skewed the result. AMOVA analysis, run with each of the main areas within Riau group and West Sumatera group, resulted in an FST of 0.2. In line with Smith et al. (2015) reported on microsatellite analysis of 37 samples of P. t. sumatrae originating from the North, West, East and South of Sumatra. The data showed inconsistent group separations between regions using three different software. First, structure analysis shows two subgroups, Northern Riau and the island of Sumatra in general. Second, Tess’s analysis shows two subgroups, namely the Southern Way Kambas group and the Sumatra Island group in general. Finally, Geneland’s analysis indicates four subgroups, namely Northern Sumatra, Eastern Sumatra, mixed East-West Sumatra, and Southern Sumatra. Gene flow values from west to east are 0.20. This value indicates the existence of a migration history of P. t. sumatrae is quite high from the west to the east. At the same time the value of 0.06 gene flow from the main area of Sumatra to the southern region indicates the low gene flow of P. t. sumatrae to South Sumatra.

The mitochondrial CO1 haplotypes presented here show historic connectivity between Riau and West Sumatra. The P. t. sumatrae sharing haplotype in this study is due to the maternal lineage between populations in each province. Any population of P. t. sumatrae seems to be bordered by a mountain range from South to North sumatra. The mountain range might not be a barrier for each population to interact. The adaptability and roaming abilities of the P. t. sumatrae are among the factors that support the possibility of interaction between populations in each province. Franklin et al. (1999) reported that the territory of adult male P. t. sumatrae is 110 km2 and for adult females around 50–70 km2. Griffiths (1994) also reported home ranges of adult male tigers of about 180 km2 at altitudes ranging 100–600 m, 274 km2 at altitudes of 600–1,700 m. Mitochondrial DNA CO1 genes are inherited maternally. The sharing of the haplotypes of each population from this study shows the distribution of individual females carrying specific haplotypes from the original population. The distance from the origin of the discovery of P. t. sumatrae in West Sumatra Province to P. t. sumatrae in Riau and North Sumatra Provinces is in the range of 200–400 km. Geographical facts support the possibility of interactions or encounters between populations. Priatna’s (2012) research reinforces that female P. t. sumatrae can have a home range of 376.8 km2.

The interaction among P. t. sumatrae populations on the Sumatra island was estimated to have occurred tens to hundreds years ago. The anthropogenic influence was not great enough to fragment the P. t. sumatrae habitat. Currently, it is very unlikely that interactions and breeding between populations naturally because of the fragmentation and reduction of forest areas on the island of Sumatra. From 1985–1997, it was recorded that 61% of the total forest on the island of Sumatra had disappeared (Holmes 2002). Genetic studies of the P. t. sumatrae population with microsatellite markers show that the genetic structure of the P. t. sumatrae population is still good with preserved heterozygosity values to minimize the risk of genetic drift. However, the high rate of forest fragmentation and loss will accelerate the risk of decreasing genetic variation (Kenney et al. 2014; Smith et al. 2018).

Despite the limitations of our sample size, this study generated the first report of CO1 genetic datasets for P. t. sumatrae population in several origin locations. The CO1 mtDNA haplotypes exhibited here show historic connectivity, and maintain genetic connectivity within both East and West Sumatra. The Initial overview of P. t. sumatrae gives a basic picture of how the genetic structure (Smith et al. 2018). Furthermore, to detect the confiscated sample origin and accomplish the case of illegal trade with genetic forensic tools, ideally reveal the complete mtDNA and nuclear markers of P. t. sumatrae with most recent technology.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Haplotype diversity and sharing haplotypes showed the possibility of interaction by each population in the past. Evidenced by the haplotypes distribution in several regions (West, North, East Sumatra). One variation in P. t. sumatrae is the important data and supports the previous studies. The results of this study can also determine the origin of unknown samples, although not too significant. Other genetic studies on the entire population of P. t. sumatrae with geological time observation are needed.

 

 

Table 1. Haplotype variation, haplotype diversity value (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (Pi) in the Panthera tigris sumatrae sequences.

 

Haplotypes

 Samples

Origin

Haplotype diversity (Hd)

Nucleotide diversity (Pi)

1

Hap_1

PTS_1

Unknown

0.382±0,113

0.00038±0,00011

2

PTS_3

Unknown

3

PTS_4

Riau

4

PTS_5

Unknown

5

PTS_6

Unknown

6

PTS_8

Unknown

7

PTS_9

Riau

8

PTS_10

Riau

9

PTS_11

Unknown

10

PTS_12

West Sumatra

11

PTS_19

North Sumatra

12

JF357969_1_P.t.sumatrae

Unknown

13

JF357970_1_P.t.sumatrae

Unknown

14

Hap_2

 

PTS_14

Riau

15

PTS_15

West Sumatra

16

PTS_16

West Sumatra

17

PTS_20

West Sumatra

 

 

Table 2. Variations in the amino acid of Panthera tigris cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene.

 

Species

G (Glycine)

G (Glycine)

L (Leucine)

A (Alanine)

L (Leucine)

L (Leucine

I (Isoleucine)

GGA

GGG

CTG

GCC

TTA

TTG

ATC

15/5

120/40

300/100

420/140

823/275

840/280

918/306

1

PTS 1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

PTS 3

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

PTS 4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

PTS 5

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5

PTS 6

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6

PTS 8

-

-

-

`

-

-

-

7

PTS 9

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

PTS 10

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9

PTS 11

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

10

PTS 12

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

11

PTS 14

-

-

-

-

-

TTA

-

12

PTS 15

-

-

-

-

-

TTA

-

13

PTS 16

-

-

-

-

-

TTA

-

14

PTS 19

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

15

PTS 20

-

-

-

-

-

TTA

-

16

P. t. amoyensis_HM589215 1

GGG

GGA

CTA

GCT

-

-

-

17

P. t. sumatrae_JF357969 1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

18

P. t. sumatrae_JF357970 1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

19

P. t. corbetti_JF357972 1

-

GGA

-

-

CTA

-

ATT

20

P. t. altaica_KF297576 1

-

GGA

-

-

CTA

-

ATT

21

P. t. altaica_MH124080 1

-

GGA

-

-

CTA

-

-

22

P. t. altaica_MH124110

-

GGA

-

-

CTA

-

ATT

23

P. t. altaica_MN624080 1

-

GGA

CTA

ATT

 

 

Table 3. Specific nucleotide bases in Panthera tigris sequences.

No

Sample

 

 Site

Luo et al. 2004

6479

6583

6764

7130

7287

7304

7382

mtDNA (NC_010642.1)

6543

6647

6828

7194

7351

7368

7446

CO1 (NC_010642.1)

263

367

548

668

1071

1088

1166

CO1 in this study

17

121

302

422

825

842

920

1

PTS 1

 

A

G

G

C

T

G

C

2

PTS 3

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

3

PTS 4

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

4

PTS 5

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

5

PTS 6

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

6

PTS 8

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

7

PTS 9

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

8

PTS 10

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

9

PTS 11

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

10

PTS 12

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

11

PTS 14

 

.

.

.

.

.

A

.

12

PTS 15

 

.

.

.

.

.

A

.

13

PTS 16

 

.

.

.

.

.

A

.

14

PTS 19

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

15

PTS 20

 

.

.

.

.

.

A

.

16

JF357969 1 P t sumatrae

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

17

JF357970 1 P t sumatrae

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

18

JF357972 1 P t corbetti

 

.

A

.

.

C

.

T

19

MH124110 1 P t altaica

 

.

A

.

.

C

.

T

20

MN624080 1 P t altaica

 

.

A

.

.

C

.

T

21

KF297576 1 P t altaica

 

.

A

.

.

C

.

T

22

MH124080 1 P t altaica

 

.

A

.

.

C

.

.

23

HM589215 1 P t amoyensis

 

G

A

A

T

.

.

.

 

 

FOR FIGURES - - CLICK HERE FOR FULL PDF

 

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