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Abundance of and threats to the snow leopard in various regions of its occurrence
Valentová, Kamila ; Kindlmann, Pavel (advisor) ; Hulva, Pavel (referee)
Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an endangered species and its population size is steadily declining. This thesis attempts to introduce and analyse the main factors threating its survival with reference to each country of its occurrence: China, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia. To conserve the remaining snow leopard populations, it is necessary to detect its distribution in various areas. Here, recent data about its worldwide distribution are presented. Snow leopard has a very secretive lifestyle, which makes estimation of its abundance quite difficult. Therefore, I also present here an overview of methods, such as sign survey, capture-recapture, predator:prey biomass ratios, photo-capture rate and genetic analyses, used for estimation of abundance of snow leopard with reference to conducted studies. I discuss their advantages and disadvantages under different conditions. Key words: snow leopard, abundance, threats, worldwide distribution, conservation
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Implication of snow leopard distribution, population dynamics and landscape genetics, and prey preference for its conservation in Nepal
Shrestha, Bikram ; Kindlmann, Pavel (advisor) ; Sedláček, František (referee) ; Červený, Jaroslav (referee)
This thesis deals with an endangered large mammal species - snow leopard, its distribution, population dynamics, landscape genetics and connectivity, trophic ecology and human-snow leopard conflicts in the Nepalese Himalaya (Sagarmatha National Park (SNP), Lower Mustang (LM) and Upper Manang (UM) in the Annapurna Conservation Area, during Wet and Dry seasons in 2014-2016. In the case of snow leopard study, we used data obtained from camera traps, scat's genetic analysis and monitoring of fresh pugmarks and scrapes while direct count method was used to study for its main prey, blue sheep and Himalayan tahr. In study 1, we assessed the determinants of habitat suitability of snow leopards using MaxEnt model and mapped the distribution of suitable habitat for snow leopards in Nepal. Altitude and Annual mean temperature are important common factors contributing to snow leopard habitat suitability within the area studied, which is indicated by both the percentage contribution of environmental variables and Jackknife test from MaxEnt model. Some other uncommon factors also seem to play a role, as they were important in at least one of the analyses. These were: distance from road, and precipitation of driest month but their importance has to be considered with caution. In study 2, we present our...
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Conservation genetics of grey wolf and snow leopard: effect of landscape attributes to the population structure
Benešová, Markéta ; Hulva, Pavel (advisor) ; Kreisinger, Jakub (referee)
Landscape genetic approaches allow to study effects of landscape to population microevolution. Landscape can influence gene flow even in large carnivores with good dispersal ability. Understanding the influence of landscape to the gene flow between populations is crucial for species conservation, especially in the species with low population densities. Aim of the study was to describe genetic structure of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) and snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in selected areas and to determine the influence of the landscape features on observed structure. Non-invasive genetic samples of snow leopard from Nepal were analysed, as well as invasive and non-invasive samples of grey wolf from Central Europe. Population structure was determined a posteriori using Bayesian clustering approaches that integrate genetic and geographical data, and compared to landscape connectivity models. Population structure of snow leopards is mostly influenced by human presence and presence of frequented roads, which represent a substantial dispersal barrier. Habitat suitable for this species is greatly restricted by altitude, however, during dispersal they are able to overcome areas with higher elevation than what is optimal for them. Pronounced genetic difference was found between central European and Carpathian...
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Conservation genetics of grey wolf and snow leopard: effect of landscape attributes to the population structure
Benešová, Markéta ; Hulva, Pavel (advisor) ; Kreisinger, Jakub (referee)
Landscape genetic approaches allow to study effects of landscape to population microevolution. Landscape can influence gene flow even in large carnivores with good dispersal ability. Understanding the influence of landscape to the gene flow between populations is crucial for species conservation, especially in the species with low population densities. Aim of the study was to describe genetic structure of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) and snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in selected areas and to determine the influence of the landscape features on observed structure. Non-invasive genetic samples of snow leopard from Nepal were analysed, as well as invasive and non-invasive samples of grey wolf from Central Europe. Population structure was determined a posteriori using Bayesian clustering approaches that integrate genetic and geographical data, and compared to landscape connectivity models. Population structure of snow leopards is mostly influenced by human presence and presence of frequented roads, which represent a substantial dispersal barrier. Habitat suitable for this species is greatly restricted by altitude, however, during dispersal they are able to overcome areas with higher elevation than what is optimal for them. Pronounced genetic difference was found between central European and Carpathian...
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Abundance of and threats to the snow leopard in various regions of its occurrence
Valentová, Kamila ; Kindlmann, Pavel (advisor) ; Hulva, Pavel (referee)
Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an endangered species and its population size is steadily declining. This thesis attempts to introduce and analyse the main factors threating its survival with reference to each country of its occurrence: China, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia. To conserve the remaining snow leopard populations, it is necessary to detect its distribution in various areas. Here, recent data about its worldwide distribution are presented. Snow leopard has a very secretive lifestyle, which makes estimation of its abundance quite difficult. Therefore, I also present here an overview of methods, such as sign survey, capture-recapture, predator:prey biomass ratios, photo-capture rate and genetic analyses, used for estimation of abundance of snow leopard with reference to conducted studies. I discuss their advantages and disadvantages under different conditions. Key words: snow leopard, abundance, threats, worldwide distribution, conservation
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Breeding success of Snow Leopard, Ounce (Uncia uncia) in Zoological gardens.
FIALA, Václav
A snow leopard, specifically irbis (Uncia uncia), is considered as the most endangered species. There are many causes of decreasing population in the last twenty years. The most important are mainly loss of habitat and prey, poaching, agro farming, related conflicts with the natives, and last but not least bad legislation in some countries. Although, the protection has improved in recent years, it is still necessary to increase its efficiency, especially in legislation. Breeding in human care is also one of the most significant implements in protection. For effective breeding it is essential to understand the factors affecting its success. The main aim of my bachelor thesis is to evaluate the breeding success of irbis in the zoos all over the world (except Asia) from data obtained from the International Pedigree Book for Snow leopards (Uncia uncia). Furthermore, my next task is to describe the conditions of breeding in the Czech Republic and specify the chief factors determining the success of rearing. The following facts based on the study of the International Pedigree Book for Snow leopards (Uncia uncia) were ascertained: due to the small number of zoological gardens, there are initially large fluctuations in success of rearing. With the rising natality increases at the same time the mortality. The average success rate is 56,47 %. The percentage of deaths is still high. The breeding conditions in zoos of the Czech Republic revealed that the success of breeding is negatively affected by the high humidity and poorly prepared diet.
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