Genetic connectivity across marginal habitats: the elephants of the Namib Desert

Elephants in the Namib Desert, a marginal habitat characterized by extreme aridity, do not exhibit significant genetic distinctiveness from other African savanna elephant populations. Despite their unique behavioral and phenotypic adaptations to harsh conditions, analysis of mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite loci revealed no clear genetic isolation or pattern of isolation by distance among desert elephants (from the Hoanib and Hoarusib River catchments) and those in Etosha National Park, the Huab and Ugab River catchments, and central Kunene. This suggests that high learning capacity and long-distance migrations have allowed Namibian elephants to adapt their ranges in response to climate variability and historical hunting pressures. The study highlights the resilience of these populations against genetic fragmentation in marginal habitats.

Ishida, Y., Van Coeverden de Groot, P. J., Leggett, K. E. A., Putnam, A. S., Fox, V. E., Lai, J., Boag, P. T., Georgiadis, N. J., & Roca, A. L. (2016). Genetic connectivity across marginal habitats: the elephants of the Namib Desert. Ecology and Evolution, 6(17), 6189–6201. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2352