Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the phylogeographic structuring of the honey
badger, Mellivora capensis, a highly mobile medium sized carnivore with an extensive
distribution throughout sub-Saharan Africa extending into the Middle East and India.
Particular focus was placed on providing preliminary data potentially useful for the
development of translocation policies for this species in southern Africa. Where possible,
genetic results were also compared with current trinomial designations to determine
whether subspecies status given to geographical groupings was supported by the genetic
data. Mitochondrial control region sequence data was obtained for most a selection of
specimen’s available while nuclear microsatellite variation was determined for a subset of
individuals where there were sufficient sample sizes available. Phylogeographic
structuring of the maternal mitochondrial lineage was initially obscured by the coamplification
of a closely related numt. To overcome co-amplification, the numt was
identified and mtDNA specific primers were designed. Mitochondrial DNA results are
based on the most variable 230 bp of the control region (sequenced for 78 individuals)
while five polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers were scored (for 55 individuals).
Analysis, employing both nuclear and mitochondrial data, showed that although a pattern
of isolation by distance can be detected, there was evidence for the presence of
phylogeographic structuring between eastern and southern Africa. This could be
interpreted as due to vicariance, probably associated by rifting and climatic occilations
during the Pleistocene. Analyses support the identification of distinct management units
for eastern and southern African populations although some evidence exists for secondary
introgression between these two regions. Following this, we recommend that
translocations between these broad geographic areas should be avoided. Within these
geographic areas, because of a general pattern of isolation by distance, we recommend
that individuals for translocations come from geographically proximate populations. In
some instances, phylogeographic structuring is concordant with subspecies designations
but additional sampling will be needed to make any firm taxonomic conclusions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om die filogeografiese struktuur van die ratel,
Mellivora capensis, ‘n hoogs bewegende medium groot karnivoor met ‘n wydverspreide
distribusie deur sub-Sahara Afrika wat strek tot in die Midde Ooste en India, te bepaal.
Spesifieke fokus is geplaas op die voorsiening van preliminêre data potensieel bruikbaar
vir dir ontwikkeling van verplasing strategieë vir hierdie spesie in suidelike Afrika.
Genetiese resultate is, waar moontlik, vergelyk met huidige drieledige kategorieë om te
bepaal of subspesies ondersteun word deur die genetiese data. Mitochondriale ‘control
region’ DNS volgorde data was verkry vir die meeste van die monsters beskikbaar en
kern mikrosatelliet variasie was bepaal vir ‘n gedeelte van individue waar voldoende
monster groottes beskikbaar was. Filogeografiese strukturering van die materne
mitochondriale merker was oorspronklik versteek deur die ko-amplifikasie van ‘n naby
verwante ‘numt’. Om die ko-amplifikasie te oorkom is die ‘numt’ geïdentifiseer en
mtDNS spesifieke voorvoerders is ontwerp. Mitochondriale DNS resultate is gebaseer op
die mees veranderlike 230 bp van die ‘control region’ (waar die DNS volgorde vir 78
individue bepaal is) en vyf polimorfiese kern mikrosatelliet merkers (in 55 individue).
Analises, wat gebruik maak van kern en mitochondriale data, toon wel ‘n patroon van
isolasie deur afstand, maar ook ‘n duidelike sigbare filogeograpfiese strukturering tussen
oostelike en suidelike Afrika. Hierdie is geïnterpreteer as vikariansie, heel waarskynlik
ge-assosieer deur berg verskuiwings en klimaatsveranderinge deur die Pleistocene.
Analises ondersteun die identifikasie van definitiewe verkillende bestuurseenhede vir
oostelike en suidelike Afrika maar sekere bewyse bestaan dat sekondêre introgressie
tussen streke bestaan. Dit word aanbeveel dat translokasies tussen hierdie geografiese
areas voorkom moet word. Binne geografiese areas, as gevolg van ‘n algemene patroon
van isolasie deur afstand, is dit aanbeveel dat individue vir verplasing van nabygeleë
populasies moet wees. In sommige gevalle het filogeografiese strukturering ooreen
gestem met subspesies kategorieë, maar verdere materiaal is nodig voor definitiewe
taksonomiese besluite geneem kan word.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/21732 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Rhodes, James I. (James Ian) |
| Contributors | Matthee, Conrad A., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Botany and Zoology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | xii, 103 leaves : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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