Genetic Approaches for Romanian Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Conservation

Authors

  • A. Cotovelea Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania; Forest Research and Management Institute, I.C.A.S., Brasov, Romania
  • N. Sofletea Forest Research and Management Institute, I.C.A.S., Brasov, Romania
  • G. Ionescu Forest Research and Management Institute, I.C.A.S., Brasov, Romania
  • O. Ionescu Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania; Forest Research and Management Institute, I.C.A.S., Brasov, Romania

Keywords:

brown bear, mitochondrial DNA, microsatellites, conservation

Abstract

One of the largest populations of brown bears (Ursus arctos) is situated in the Romanian Carpathians, where more than 6000 individuals are distributed in suitable habitats. The aim of this paper is to conduct a review of the current state of knowledge on genetic studies of the Romanian brown bear. So far only a few studies with a limited number of samples from Romania have been carried out. The two main mitochondrial DNA lineages, which were described in Europe, are mt in the Romanian Carpathians. More data is needed about the contact zone and the degree of interference between the two lineages. Describing the genetic structure based on nuclear genetic markers will further help in developing appropriate conservation measures.

Author Biographies

A. Cotovelea, Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania; Forest Research and Management Institute, I.C.A.S., Brasov, Romania

Faculty “Silviculture and Forest Engineering”

 

O. Ionescu, Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania; Forest Research and Management Institute, I.C.A.S., Brasov, Romania

Faculty “Silviculture and Forest Engineering”

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Published

2013-06-14

Issue

Vol. 6(55) No. 1 (2013)

Section

FORESTRY