Island flying fox Pteropus hypomelanus is one of threatened species with high extinction risk due to limited dispersal ability, small home ranges and high hunting pressure. In Thailand, island flying fox can be found on islands along the coast in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. In this study, population genetic relationship of island flying foxes in the area of Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was investigated. DNA was extracted from tissue and fecal samples (n=24) obtained from Chan, Khram Yai and Talu Islands in the Gulf of Thailand, and Similan islands in the Andaman Sea. Mitochondrial control region was amplified and sequenced. A total of 16 haplotypes (478 bp) were obtained with 49 variable positions. Nucleotide diversity was 0.03213, whereas overall haplotype diversity was 0.960. Interestingly, shared haplotypes were detected at all localities including Chan and Similan islands which were approximately 600 kilometers apart. Our results suggest substantial gene flow among populations and panixia paradigm in Thai island flying foxes. This information would be helpful for conservation management and planning in island flying foxes.
