Genetic evidence for multiple paternity in the Asiatic black bear population reintroduced in South Korea

초록

Background: Multiple paternity in mammals results from multiple mating between males and females during a single season and may be facilitated by reproductive characteristics such as repeated estrus and ovulation in females. Although multiple paternity has been documented in several bear species using molecular approaches, little is known about occurrence of multiple paternity in wild Asiatic black bears. To better understand their breeding ecology, this study examined multiple paternity in a reintroduced population of wild bears in South Korea using molecular parentage analysis. Results: A pedigree of wild-born cubs and their biological parents was constructed using genotyping data from 20 microsatellite markers. Parentage analysis revealed multiple paternity in three independent litters: two litters born to females F-18 and F-27 in 2012 and one litter born to female F-23 in 2014. Each litter was sired by two different male bears. Multiple paternity was detected in 15.8% of the litters with two cubs identified in this study. Conclusion: This study provides molecular evidence of multiple paternity in wild Asiatic black bears in South Korea. Further studies incorporating additional genetic data and spatial analyses across the entire population will help elucidate breeding patterns and reproductive ecology and provide valuable information for the conservation and management of the threatened Asiatic black bear.

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