Dataset and R code: Genetic diversity of lion populations in Kenya: evaluating past management practices and recommendations for future conservation actions by Chege M et.al

The decline of lions (Panthera leo) in Kenya has raised conservation concerns on their overall population health and long-term survival. This study aimed to assess the genetic structure, differentiation, and diversity of lion populations in the country, while considering the influence of past management practices. Using a lion-specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) panel, we genotyped 171 individuals from 12 populations representative of areas with permanent lion presence. Our results revealed a distinct genetic pattern with pronounced population structure, confirmed a north-south split, and found no indication of inbreeding in any of the tested populations. Differentiation seems to be primarily driven by geographical barriers, human presence, and climatic factors, but management practices may have also affected the observed patterns. Notably, the Tsavo population displayed evidence of admixture, perhaps attributable to its geographic location as a suture zone, vast size, or to past translocations, while the fenced populations of Lake Nakuru National Park and Solio Ranch exhibited reduced genetic diversity due to restricted natural dispersal. The Amboseli population had a high number of monomorphic loci likely reflecting a historical population decline. This illustrates that patterns of genetic diversity should be seen in the context of population histories, and that future management decisions should take these insights into account. To address the conservation implications of our findings, we recommend prioritizing the maintenance of suitable habitats to facilitate population connectivity. Initiation of genetic restoration efforts and separately managing populations with unique evolutionary histories is crucial for preserving genetic diversity and promoting long-term population viability.肯尼亚境内的狮子（Panthera leo）种群衰退引发了学界对其整体种群健康与长期存续的保护关切。本研究旨在评估该国狮子种群的遗传结构、分化与多样性，同时考量过往管理实践的影响。研究采用狮子特异性单核苷酸多态性（Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, SNP）分型面板，对代表肯尼亚境内永久有狮子栖息区域的12个种群的171头个体进行了基因分型。研究结果揭示了独特的遗传模式与显著的种群遗传结构，证实了南北分化格局的存在，且未在所有被测种群中发现近交迹象。种群分化主要受地理屏障、人类活动与气候因素驱动，但过往的管理实践或也对观测到的遗传格局造成了影响。值得注意的是，察沃（Tsavo）种群表现出遗传混合的特征，这或许可归因于其作为缝合带的地理位置、庞大的种群规模，或是过往的种群易地转移；而莱克纳库鲁国家公园（Lake Nakuru National Park）与索里奥牧场（Solio Ranch）的围栏种群，因自然扩散受限，遗传多样性有所降低。安博塞利（Amboseli）种群存在大量单态基因座，这大概率反映了其历史种群衰退。这表明，遗传多样性的格局应结合种群历史背景进行解读，未来的管理决策需充分纳入这些研究结论。为应对本研究发现的保护启示，我们建议优先维持适宜栖息地，以促进种群间的连通性。启动遗传修复工作，并对具有独特进化历史的种群实施单独管理，这对保护遗传多样性、提升种群长期存续能力至关重要。