GENOMIC STUDY ON INDIAN ELEPHANTS
: ENVIRONMENT
NEWS
:
Indian elephants lost genetic vigour as they moved north to south, 5 distinct
populations exist: Study
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The study analysed whole genome sequences from captive
and wild elephant blood samples collected across India to identify five
genetically distinct populations — one along the Himalayan foothills from the
northwest to northeast, one in central India, and three in the south.
Genomic
Study on Indian Elephants
Research: Conducted by
NCBS and IISc, focusing on elephant migration across India.
Key Findings:
·
Migration
Path:
Identified 5 distinct elephant populations in India. Northern elephants
diverged first (~70,000 years ago), central elephants ~50,000 years ago, and
southern elephants ~20,000 years ago.
·
Genetic
Diversity Loss:
Elephants lost genetic diversity due to the "serial founder effect."
The most vulnerable population is in the south, with fewer than 150 elephants.
·
Southern
Populations:
Three distinct populations found in the Western Ghats, divided by the Palghat
and Shencottah Gaps.
·
Northern
and Central Populations: Natural barriers like the Ganga and
Brahmaputra rivers separate northern and central elephant populations.
Conservation
Implications
- Challenges: Reduced genetic diversity in
southern populations increases the risk of inbreeding and extinction.
- Conservation Need: Emphasizes
habitat connectivity and tailored strategies, especially in the Western
Ghats.
- Future Plans: Developing
a genetic toolkit for better monitoring and individual identification of
elephants.
Importance
of Elephants in Ecosystems
- Role: Elephants are key grazers and
browsers, helping plant growth, seed dispersal, and water access for other
species.
- Elephants in India: India holds the largest population of wild Asian elephants (~29,964 as of 2017), about 60% of the global population, with Karnataka, Assam, and Kerala hosting the most elephants.