LAND
Rapid Evolution: The Impact of Ivory Poaching on Tuskless Elephant Population
Rapid Evolution: The Impact of Ivory Poaching on Tuskless Elephant Population
The trade for elephant tusks had long been lucrative, reaching staggering prices of $2100 per kg in foreign markets at the peak trading. These tusks, deeply embedded in elephants' skulls, often led to excruciating deaths for the animals. The Mozambican Civil War, spanning from 1977 to 1992, witnessed a dramatic escalation in elephant poaching driven by the need to fund the war. The consequences were devastating for the elephant population, which faced near extinction. Before the conflict, approximately 2000 elephants roamed the Gorongosa region. However, the intensity of poaching during the war resulted in a catastrophic loss, with around 90% of the elephant population wiped out.
A recent study has unveiled significant evolution among elephants in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, where rampant ivory poaching during the civil war has led to a notable increase in the number of tuskless female elephants. Their findings, published in the journal Science, revealed that the pressure of ivory poaching favored tuskless elephants, particularly females, resulting in a genetic shift within the population. The percentage of tuskless females was 18% in the Gorongosa National Park before the war. The tuskless number jumped up to 50% during the war, and 33% after the conflict ended.
The researchers found that the surviving tuskless females passed on this trait to their offspring, resulting in about half of their daughters being tuskless. Additionally, genetic analysis revealed that a dominant gene on the X chromosome likely determines tusklessness in female elephants and may lead to the early death of male embryos. Furthermore, the tusks are vital for African elephants. They are used for digging soils for water, self-defense, stripping trees, lifting objects, and competing for mating. The absence of tusks can affect their behaviors such as eating and mating. The study underscores the profound influence of human activities.
Sources: