Connecting captive Asian elephants with their endangered wild relatives through their genomes

Abstract

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus L.) is classified as an endangered species, comprising four recognized subspecies: Indian (E. m. indicus), Sri Lankan (E. m. maximus), Sumatran (E. m. sumatranus), and Borneo (E. m. borneensis). Elephant populations in Southeast Asia, though small and fragmented, face high risks of extirpation due to habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change. These factors jeopardize their survival and highlight the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts. Despite these challenges, Asian elephants possess crucial genetic diversity that needs to be maintained for future adaptive potential, making their conservation a high priority. Genetic studies are essential for informing conservation strategies. This review aims to compile and summarize the relevant literature on the genetic data of Asian elephants, specifically focusing on their phylogenetic relationships, historical biogeography, and phylogeography, while emphasizing the need for acquiring genomic data. In addition, we explore how important captive populations have been in acquiring genomic data for this endangered species. It also highlights the importance of genetically monitoring captive populations to maintain sufficient genetic variation for conservation and research purposes. We discuss how understanding the elephants’ evolutionary history from a genomic perspective can offer insights into subspecies recognition and provide a data-driven foundation for planning management strategies, such as reintroduction, translocation, and captive breeding. Ultimately, these efforts will enhance conservation strategies and secure the survival of this iconic species in the face of ongoing anthropogenic and environmental challenges.