Impact of landscape fragmentation on the conservation of the woolly tiger cat

Biodiversity conservation is affected by the synergistic action of different threats—such as habitat fragmentation, climate change, and anthropogenic pressure—whose ultimate impact is often manifested in the loss of genetic diversity of species. Although habitat loss and fragmentation are usually the most obvious threats, they have repercussions on important aspects such as gene flow and genetic diversity, which in turn impact the adaptive capacity of species in the face of a changing environment.

product of human activities. One species that has been severely impacted by habitat loss is the woolly otter (Leopardus pardinoides), which is considered vulnerable to extinction at the national level. Therefore, this project aims to evaluate the impact of local anthropogenic pressures and climate change on the environmental suitability and genetic structure and diversity of L. pardinoides in Colombia, through the analysis of traditional molecular markers and landscape genetics tools. This will allow the identification of priority areas for the establishment of biological corridors and the implementation of ecological restoration processes. To this end, available sequences for the species will be used, samples will be collected from specimens available in the country's biological collections, and specific sampling will be carried out to collect samples in areas that are underrepresented throughout its geographical distribution. The results obtained will also be relevant when determining the threat category of the species at the national and international levels, as well as in identifying threats to its conservation.