This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A recent genomic survey of North Carolina black bears from mountain and coastal habitats reveals distinct differences in genetic health and diversity between the populations, with coastal bears exhibiting greater genetic fragility than mountain bears. The results could be used by wildlife management and law enforcement to ensure the health of both bears and the ecosystems they are part of.
Using DNA samples collected over several years, the researchers generated whole-genome sequences for 76 black bears selected from populations representing two of the three North Carolina bear management units: 49 from the Mountain Bear Management Unit (MBMU) and 27 from the Coastal Bear Management Unit (CBMU). The data identified three genetic clusters, two from the MBMU and one from the CBMU. A genetic cluster refers to a group of genetically similar individuals within a species or population and is used by wildlife managers to help track the health of an animal community.
"We found that while mountain bears had two distinct, genetically healthy groups, the coastal bears had reduced genetic diversity and elevated inbreeding despite having a larger estimated population," said Isabella Livingston, a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and first author of a paper describing the work published in the journal Genes. "We then added landscape data for context—we looked at how the landscapes in each of these management units have changed and saw that there's been more change in the coastal region compared to the mountains," said Livingston. "Coastal bears are running out of usable habitat, so there is evidence of potential isolation into breeding neighborhoods where they may not have access to every individual within the CBMU, resulting in inbreeding and genetic fragility." For bears in the MBMU, their ability to roam farther and more freely and encounter bears from other parts of the Appalachian Mountains could be contributing to the development of different genetic clusters.
"Bears don't look at state borders and think, 'Oh, well, better stop there,'" said Matthew Breen, professor of genomics and the Oscar J. Fletcher Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology Genetics at NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine. "So it's possible that the genetic diversity in that western part of the state might reflect a natural infusion and exchange with bears from other states, as opposed to the eastern population, which backs into an ocean." The genome-wide data set also provided an opportunity to evaluate how genomic data could be translated into more targeted monitoring tools.
The researchers generated a panel of single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, which are genetic variants that can be used to identify the management unit or group an individual bear belongs to. "Basically, groups of SNPs act as genetic fingerprints that we can use to find out where a bear is from and who it is," said Livingston. "It's a tool that can be used by wildlife managers in sustaining a healthy bear population.
It can also be useful to law enforcement in poaching investigations and other forensically relevant contexts in determining where a bear came from." The researchers hope that the genomic data will aid wildlife managers, bears and the ecosystems around them. "This work shows that genome-wide data of wildlife populations can reveal population structure, demographic history and emerging connectivity concerns that may not be apparent from census size or management boundaries alone," said Breen. "We are delighted to be able to continue to work with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and other constituents to explore how these data can be used to help them sustain a healthy, viable population of bears in our state." Isabella G.
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