Demographic history of the Punjab urial and implications for its management

The Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) is endemic to Northern Punjab, Pakistan, and categorized as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Threatened Species. population has declined 30% over last 3 generations. We used non-invasive fecal samples identify individuals estimate size in Kalabagh Game Reserve, Pakistan. genotyped using 12 microsatellite markers assess genetic variation, structure, demographic changes. Microsatellite analysis revealed high levels variation urials terms expected observed heterozygosity allelic diversity. structure based solely on Bayesian clustering, indicated different clusters reserve. Results that may be facing inbreeding pressure because its ancestral effective from between 20,000 50,000 ≤1,000 animals today. This reduction partly occurred a bottleneck about 10,000 years ago. also indicate 1 cluster signature bottleneck, which due isolation. are small broadly dispersed large territory, meaning they could extirpated without any opportunity natural re-population through dispersion. results our study support management strategy encourages maintaining connectivity localities within increased diversity so recover historical decline, use data generated here baseline reserve monitoring long term.