Molecular evidence for occurrence of endangered long-tailed goral in Seoul metropolitan city, South Korea

The study examined the habitation and the number of long-tailed gorals by molecular identification, sexing discrimination, and identity tests on feces and hair samples estimated to be endangered long-tailed goral in Mt. Yongmasan, Mt. Achasan and Mt. Inwangsan near Seoul metropolitan city. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequences showed that the DNA samples from the three mountains were those of long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus). The molecular sexing results showed that there were a female and a male in Mt. Yongmasan, a male in Mt. Achasan, but no informative results for Mt. Inwangsan. The identity test results indicated that the males of Mt. Yongmasan and Mt. Achasan were the same male, estimating the shift of this male from Mt. Yongmasan to Mt. Achasan. In addition, the goral of Mt. Inwangsan had a different COI sequence from those of Mt. Yongmasan and Mt. Achasan estimated to be this male with a different maternal lineage. Our present findings provide molecular evidence that at least three gorals have been inhabiting or continuously visiting the mountainous areas of Seoul metropolitan city, suggesting that a management system may be necessary for protecting this natural habitat of endangered long-tailed goral.