Genetic diversity of the endangered dung beetle, Copris tripartitus is fine

NIBR has conducted study on the genetic diversity of  the dung beetle (Copris tripartitus Waterhouse, 1875) since 2016 and announced that the genetic diversity is high, which is often equated with fitness. Copris tripartitus is designated as class II Korean endangered species. 

NIBR in collaboration with Dr. Ik-soo Kim team of Chonnam National University has investigated genetic diversity of the dung beetle in six major habitats such as Yeonggwang-gun, Yeosu-si, Jeju island, Hoengseong-gun, Seosan-si, and Ongjin-gun in Korea.  

A total of 67 individuals were collected from the six populations for the study and the researchers developed and analyzed 10 microsatellites and 4,132 SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms) of the species.

As a result, the genetic diversity of Korean Copris tripartitus is fine enough with low possibility of genetic homogeneity and inbreeding. 

Bae, Yeon Jae, president of NIBR said: “We will conduct relevant research in depth so that our studies can contribute to scientific restoration of other Korean endangered species.