Genetic diversity of the endangered Mongolian saiga antelope Saiga tatarica mongolica (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) provides insights into conservation
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Genetic diversity of the endangered Mongolian saiga antelope Saiga tatarica mongolica (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) provides insights into conservation. / Rey-Iglesia, Alba; Hjort, Jeanne; Silva, Teresa L.; Buuveibaatar , Bayarbaatar.; Dalannast, Munkhnast; Ulziisaikhan , Tumendemberel; Chimeddorj , Buyanaa; Espregueira-Themudo, Gonçalo; Campos, Paula F.
In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol. 137, No. 1, 2022, p. 100-111.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Genetic diversity of the endangered Mongolian saiga antelope Saiga tatarica mongolica (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) provides insights into conservation
AU - Rey-Iglesia, Alba
AU - Hjort, Jeanne
AU - Silva, Teresa L.
AU - Buuveibaatar , Bayarbaatar.
AU - Dalannast, Munkhnast
AU - Ulziisaikhan , Tumendemberel
AU - Chimeddorj , Buyanaa
AU - Espregueira-Themudo, Gonçalo
AU - Campos, Paula F.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - The Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is one of the few megafauna species from the mammoth steppe still living today. Currently, saiga are classified as critically endangered, persisting only in small areas of Central Asian steppe and desert ecosystems. The species is divided into two subspecies: Saiga tatarica mongolica and Saiga tatarica tatarica. In this study, we have for the first time characterized the genetic diversity of the Mongolian saiga (S. t. mongolica) using both mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers. We also analysed S. t. tatarica specimens in order to genetically compare both subspecies. The mitochondrial control region was sequenced for a total of 89 individuals: 20 skin, 53 umbilical cord, three placentae and a muscle sample from S. t. mongolica, and a total of 12 hair samples from S. t. tatarica. Additionally, 19 microsatellites developed for saiga antelope were also screened. Our results revealed that the Mongolian saiga presents very low genetic diversity at the mitochondrial level, with no shared mitochondrial haplotype between the two subspecies. Low genetic diversity is also present at the autosomal level, with most loci having low heterozygosity (Ho/He) and a low number of alleles per locus. Despite the low genetic diversity, we found no separation between the subpopulations in Mongolia, indicating that conservation corridors are actually promoting contact between different herds. Our results validate current conservation efforts and inform the implementation of new measures to increase the viability of the S. t. mongolica subspecies.
AB - The Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is one of the few megafauna species from the mammoth steppe still living today. Currently, saiga are classified as critically endangered, persisting only in small areas of Central Asian steppe and desert ecosystems. The species is divided into two subspecies: Saiga tatarica mongolica and Saiga tatarica tatarica. In this study, we have for the first time characterized the genetic diversity of the Mongolian saiga (S. t. mongolica) using both mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers. We also analysed S. t. tatarica specimens in order to genetically compare both subspecies. The mitochondrial control region was sequenced for a total of 89 individuals: 20 skin, 53 umbilical cord, three placentae and a muscle sample from S. t. mongolica, and a total of 12 hair samples from S. t. tatarica. Additionally, 19 microsatellites developed for saiga antelope were also screened. Our results revealed that the Mongolian saiga presents very low genetic diversity at the mitochondrial level, with no shared mitochondrial haplotype between the two subspecies. Low genetic diversity is also present at the autosomal level, with most loci having low heterozygosity (Ho/He) and a low number of alleles per locus. Despite the low genetic diversity, we found no separation between the subpopulations in Mongolia, indicating that conservation corridors are actually promoting contact between different herds. Our results validate current conservation efforts and inform the implementation of new measures to increase the viability of the S. t. mongolica subspecies.
KW - Central Asian Steppe
KW - conservation
KW - DNA
KW - Mongolia
KW - saiga antelope
KW - GAZELLE PROCAPRA GUTTUROSA
KW - POPULATION
KW - MITOCHONDRIAL
KW - PATTERNS
KW - MANAGEMENT
KW - SOFTWARE
KW - MHC
U2 - 10.1093/biolinnean/blac074
DO - 10.1093/biolinnean/blac074
M3 - Journal article
VL - 137
SP - 100
EP - 111
JO - Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London
JF - Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London
SN - 0024-4066
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 316054557