 Reference Base  How vulnerable is the black rhino? A genetic and demogra... |
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - South Africa |
| Subject: |
Genetics |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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To determine the vulnerability status of South African black rhinoceros populations it was necessary to study black rhino population biology. Since population genetics and population demography are the two main themes of population biology, the aim of this project was to investigate both of these in order to make valuable management recommendations. The effective population size is the critical factor for the conservation of the black rhinoceros since most of the remaining populations are small.
Thirty protein and enzyme-coding loci of four black rhinoceros populations were analyzed to determine the levels of genetic variation. Protein electrophoresis revealed that all four populations still carry high levels of genetic variation. This is reassuring for the long-term survival of the species.
A polymorphism of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) was observed. Evidence suggests that a deficiency of this enzyme is associated with intravascular haemolysis similar to the situation in humans. Stress associated with capture and the administration of some drugs to rhinoceroses may induce haemolytic anaemia in animals that carry an allele that is G-6-PD deficient.
Analysis of demographic factors indicate that wild black rhinoceros populations remain stable (i.e. sex ratio and age structure do not change dramatically) even if they experience ecological threats such as competition, predation, droughts and fire. Poaching has a negative effect on the sex ratio and age structure, however, and will result in a serious decline in effective population size.
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