The tool could make it possible to combat the illegal trafficking of these animals.

Scientists have for the first time mapped the habitats of wild chimpanzees by studying their DNA, providing a detailed reconstruction of the past migrations of these endangered species.

This genomic catalog, which includes 828 individuals, can be used to link kidnapped chimpanzees – or their meat and limbs – to their original home, with an accuracy of 100 km, which could help law enforcement fighting against poaching.

These results were published Wednesday in the scientific journal

Cell Genomics

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"If we can know the genetic diversity of these endangered species and the history of their past demography, it can help us to put in place better conservation strategies," explained the study's lead author, Claudia Fontsere. , from the Spanish Institute of Evolutionary Biology.

DNA taken from feces

DNA samples have been collected from thousands of chimpanzee feces, in a program spanning 48 locations across West and Central Africa.

Feces are very useful for studying endangered species because they allow you to collect a lot of information while interfering with the animals as little as possible.

But they also come with technical challenges, as they contain little of their owner's DNA.

To overcome this obstacle, the researchers used a new DNA sequencing technique called “target capture”.

This enabled them to discover 50% more variants of a specific chromosome (chromosome 21) compared to what had been identified so far.

Thanks to this, the researchers were able to deduce the genetic history of the different populations of chimpanzees, considerably improving scientific knowledge in this field.

A complex genetic history

Like humans, chimpanzees have a complex migratory history.

Scientists here have been able to go back as far as 100,000 years ago.

“There has been a lot of debate about whether the four chimpanzee subspecies really diverge from each other or if they have genetic continuity,” explained one of the study's authors, Mimi Arandjelovic, from the Institute. Max Planck of Evolutionary Anthropology.

“We were able to show, using different methods analyzing very old and more recent variations, that their history is complex, just like ours,” she added.

It appears that chimpanzee subspecies have been separated in the past, but have also had periods of genetic exchange.

The researchers observed that geographical barriers between subspecies or certain populations (lakes, rivers, etc.) resulted in genetic differences.

They also learned more about interbreeding with bonobos.

Identify capture areas

Thus, this new map could also make it possible to identify where the illegally captured chimpanzees come from.

Although reintroducing them into the wild is a difficult task due to the complex social structures within these groups of animals, individuals have been shown to fare better when released near their place of origin. .

“This can help law enforcement trace their likely route,” Claudia Fontsere explained.

In the future, scientists hope to further improve this map by collecting new samples, and to extend this analysis technique to other primates.

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  • Science

  • Monkey

  • Animals

  • Poaching

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