Spatial patterns and rarity of the white‐phased ‘Spirit bear’ allele reveal gaps in habitat protection
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1. Preserving genetic and phenotypic diversity can help safeguard not only biodiversity but also cultural and economic values. 2. Here, we present data that emerged from Indigenous‐led research at the intersection of evolution and ecology to support conservation planning of a culturally salient, economically valuable, and rare phenotypic variant. We addressed three conservation objectives for the white‐phased ‘Spirit bear’ polymorphism, a rare and endemic white‐coated phenotype of black bear ( Ursus americanus ) in Kitasoo/Xai'xais and Gitga'at Territories and beyond in coastal British Columbia, Canada. First, we used non‐invasively collected hair samples ( n = 385 bears over ∼18,000 km 2 ) to assess the spatial variation in the frequency of the allele that controls the white‐coloured morph (mc1r). Second, we compared our observed allele frequencies at mc1r with those expected under Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Finally, we examined how well current protected areas in the region aligned with spatial hotspots of Spirit bear alleles. 3. We found that landscape‐level allele frequency was lower than previously reported. For example our systematic sampling estimated a frequency of 0.25 (95% CI [0.13, 0.41]) on Gribbell Island compared with the previously reported estimate of 0.56. Also, in contrast with previous reports, we failed to detect a statistically significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium at mc1r, which calls into question the previously posited role of homozygote gene flow, heterozygote disadvantage, and positive assortative mating in the maintenance of this polymorphism. Finally, we found a discrepancy between the placement of protected areas and the 90th percentile hotspots (upper 10% of all estimated values) of Spirit bear alleles, with ∼50% of hotspots falling outside of protected areas. 4. These results provide new insight into hypotheses related to the maintenance of this rare polymorphism, and directly relevant information to support evidence‐based opportunities for Indigenous Nations of the area to attend to gaps in conservation planning.
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The reverence for and cultural significance of the Kermode bear color polymorphism to the Kitasoo/Xai'Xais and Gitga'at First Nations resulted in the legal establishment of the ~1,000 km2 'Kitasoo Bear Conservancy,' protecting Kermode bears while promoting greater conservation of black bears within the Great Bear Rainforest.
“The reverence for and cultural significance of this color polymorphism to the Kitasoo/Xai'Xais and Gitga'at First Nations resulted in the legal establishment of the ~ 1,000 km 2 'Kitasoo Bear Conservancy,' protecting Kermode bears while promoting greater conservation of black bears within the Great Bear Rainforest (Langlois, 2017;Service et al., 2020).”
From Of Rarity and Symbolism: Understanding Human Perceptions of Charismatic Color Morphs (2024) · cites this paper as Service et al., 2020
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“This morph is linked to a recessive mutation at the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (Mc1r), and for this reason, isolation and limited gene flow may be essential for its continued persistence (Marshall & Ritland, 2002; Service et al., 2020).”
Self-citationRayne, A., Blair, S., Dale, M., Flack, B., Hollows, J. W., Moraga, R. A., Parata, R., Rupene, M., Tamati‐Elliffe, P., Wehi, P. M., et al. (2022) · Evolutionary Applications · doi:10.1111/eva.13367 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
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“…over millennia typically engender high cultural value, especially when they offer a cultural product (e.g., Rokfar, 2014) or represent unique ecotypes with specialized behaviors or adaptations that have particular significance (e.g., Spirit Bears; Urus americanus kermodei; Service et al., 2020).”
BackgroundSelf-citationOf Rarity and Symbolism: Understanding Human Perceptions of Charismatic Color Morphs
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“…Canada, where, according to the Kitasoo/Xai’Xais people, Raven, the trickster ( Wee’get ) and creator of all living things made the Kermode bear as a physical reminder of the ice and snow that once covered the land during the ice age (Service et al., 2020; Clark et al., 2021; Henson et al., 2022).”
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BackgroundHenson, L. H., Service, C., Stronen, A. V., Moody, J. E., Housty, W., Reece, D., Vonholdt, B., & Darimont, C. (2022) · Conservation Science and Practice · doi:10.1111/csp2.12769 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Moreover, spatial analyses have revealed that approximately half of Spirit bear allele “hotspots” occur outside of protected areas (Service et al., 2020).”
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“…knowledge gaps that starts with a base of local and traditional knowledge, builds in mechanisms for local input and guidance, and employs multiple methods, especially non-invasive research techniques such as genetic sampling, remote cameras, and track transects (e.g., Service et al., 2014, 2020).”
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“Bolded numbers overlaid on select landmass units indicate (where available) the most recent mc1r G allele frequency data (Service et al., 2020) Klinka, 2017), and we used our novel multivariate approach to reexamine the δ13C and δ15N data from these samples.”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialSelf-citationBlack bear colour polymorphism through a fragmented Snell’s window
Reimchen, T., Hunter, D. R., & Eggenberger, J. H. (2021) · doi:10.1093/biolinnean/blab073 · Cited by 1
- Authors
- Service, C. N., Bourbonnais, M., Adams, M. S., Henson, L., Neasloss, D., Picard, C., Paquet, P. C., & Darimont, C. T.
- Affiliations
- University of Victoria (CA)
- University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus (CA)
- Kitasoo Xai'xais Stewardship Authority Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation Klemtu British Columbia Canada
- Gitga'at Oceans and Lands Department Gitga'at First Nation Hartley Bay British Columbia Canada
- Corresponding author
- Service, Christina N.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Ecological Solutions and Evidence
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2020-07-05
- Volume
- 1
- Issue
- 2
- ISSN
- 2688-8319 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3039576011
- Cited by
- 15
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 1.76
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Ecological Solutions and Evidence (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic diversity and population structure
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Keywords
- Ursus americanus, allele frequency, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, spatial genetic variation, protected area gaps, conservation planning, Indigenous-led research, British Columbia coast, hair sampling
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