Human Highly Modified Landscapes Restrict Gene Flow of the Largest Neotropical Canid, the Maned Wolf

Human-modified landscapes have been threatening mammal populations worldwide. However, little is known about the genetic consequences of these impacts in long term for most species. Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity and population structuring of a top predator, the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), to investigate genetic signatures that could be explained by anthropogenic threats. We collected non-invasive samples from scats, tissue from road-killed and blood from captured animals, which were analyzed by a set of nine microsatellite loci. We assessed the genetic population structure of 105 individuals using Bayesian and discriminant factorial components. Additionally, we measured the genetic diversity and gene flow, and evaluated bottleneck signatures. Genetic analyses revealed a spatial population structuring between central-western and southeastern populations, that is likely due to the reduction of gene flow. Both central-western and southeastern populations showed similar genetic diversity values and signatures of a recent bottleneck. It is suggested that maned wolf population structuring observed is a consequence of the huge human landscape modification, for agribusiness purposes occurring during the past century. It is inferred that both gene flow reduction and recent bottlenecks may compromise the genetic variation maintenance within local populations and negatively affect the long-term persistence of this wild and unique canid. Our results may be useful for defining international conservation actions considering landscape and population conectivity of this charismatic though Near Threatened to extinction Neotropical species, and helpful for the National Action Plan for Brazilian Canids Conservation.