M. V. Kholodova

Ancient DNA sequences point to a large loss of mitochondrial genetic diversity in the saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) since the Pleistocene

Prior to the Holocene, the range of the saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) spanned from France to the Northwest Territories of Canada. Although its distribution subsequently contracted to the steppes of Central Asia, historical records indicate that it remained extremely abundant until the end of the Soviet Union, after which its populations were reduced by over 95%. We have analysed the mitochondrial control region sequence variation of 27 ancient and 38 modern specimens, to assay how the species’ genetic diversity has changed since the Pleistocene. Phylogenetic analyses reveal the existence of two well‐supported, and clearly distinct, clades of saiga. The first, spanning a time range from >49u2003500 14C ybp to the present, comprises all the modern specimens and ancient samples from the Northern Urals, Middle Urals and Northeast Yakutia. The second clade is exclusive to the Northern Urals and includes samples dating from between 40u2003400 to 10u2003250 14C ybp. Current genetic diversity is much lower than that present during the Pleistocene, an observation that data modelling using serial coalescent indicates cannot be explained by genetic drift in a population of constant size. Approximate Bayesian Computation analyses show the observed data is more compatible with a drastic population size reduction (c.u200366–77%) following either a demographic bottleneck in the course of the Holocene or late Pleistocene, or a geographic fragmentation (followed by local extinction of one subpopulation) at the Holocene/Pleistocene transition.

The "Linh Duong" Pseudonovibos spiralis (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) is a new buffalo

Abstract. The controversial phylogenetic position of the recently described South-East Asian endemic bovid, Pseudonovibos spiralis, was evaluated on the basis of phylogenetic analyses of originally obtained nearly complete 12S mitochondrial rDNA sequences for this species and Bubalus bubalis and 26 sequences of Bovidae from the Genbank using Cervus elaphus (Cervidae) as outgroup. In most of the phylogenetic analyses performed using PAUP 4.0 (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and neighbour-joining), Bovidae consisted of two major clades: Bovinae including the tribes Bovini, Tragelaphini and Boselaphini, and Antilopinae+Caprinae, incorporating all other bovids. In most trees P. spiralis fell within the buffalos (subtribe Bovina) between Bubalus and Syncerus. Therefore, our phylogenetic analyses of bovid mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene sequences suggest the close relationship of this enigmatic species with the buffalos and its placement within the subtribe Bovina.

THE TECHNIQUE OF NONINVASIVE DISTANT SEXING FOR FOUR MONOMORPHIC DENDROCYGNA WHISTLING DUCK SPECIES BY THEIR LOUD WHISTLES

ABSTRACT Here we present an acoustic approach for reliable sexing in four whistling duck species from the genus Dendrocygna and compare it with molecular and cloacal inspection techniques. In the four examined species, the White-faced Whistling Duck D. viduata, Fulvous Whistling Duck D. bicolor, Cuban Whistling Duck D. arborea and Red-billed Whistling Duck D. autumnalis, sexes are indistinguishable by appearance. However all the four species show strong sexual differences in the structure of their species-specific loud whistles. For 59 examined birds, an acoustic-based sexing showed 100% accordance to the DNA PCR analysis, while the cloacal inspection showed only 89.8% accuracy. The results demonstrate that acoustic sexing represents a feasible alternative to the two traditional methods as a noninvasive tool for the distant sexing of the four whistling duck species both in captivity and in the wild.

Colonizing the High Arctic : Mitochondrial DNA reveals common origin of Eurasian archipelagic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

In light of current debates on global climate change it has become important to know more on how large, roaming species have responded to environmental change in the past. Using the highly variable mitochondrial control region, we revisit theories of Rangifer colonization and propose that the High Arctic archipelagos of Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, and Novaia Zemlia were colonized by reindeer from the Eurasian mainland after the last glacial maximum. Comparing mtDNA control region sequences from the three Arctic archipelagos showed a strong genetic connection between the populations, supporting a common origin in the past. A genetic connection between the three archipelagos and two Russian mainland populations was also found, suggesting colonization of the Eurasian high Arctic archipelagos from the Eurasian mainland. The age of the Franz Josef Land material (>2000 years before present) implies that Arctic indigenous reindeer colonized the Eurasian Arctic archipelagos through natural dispersal, before humans approached this region.

Siberian Roe Deer (Capreolus pygargus Pallas, 1771) in Ukraine: Analysis of the Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA

A molecular-genetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b gene (1140 base pairs) of the mitochondrial DNA and 17 microsatellite loci of eight samples of roe deer from the Samara forest of Dnipropetrovsk oblast (Ukraine) was carried out. For comparison, 212 corresponding mtDNA sequences of the Siberian and European roe deer and data on the variability of microsatellite markers in 49 representatives of these species were included in the study. It was noted that all the analyzed mitochondrial sequences of individuals from the Samara forest are characteristic of the Siberian roe Capreolus pygargus Pallas, 1771. Four haplotypes were described, all of which belonged to the haplogroup typical for the western part of the range of C. pygargus. A fragment analysis of the microsatellite loci of nuclear DNA confirmed the identification of the investigated group with the Siberian species.

Mitotypical peculiarities of the population of moose Alces alces of southeastern West Siberia

Based on the structure of the control region (D-loop) of mitochondrial DNA, the genetic diversity of moose of West Siberia was evaluated and their placement within the structure of current species population was determined. It was noted that the values of genetic diversity exceed the values of analogous indices obtained for western groups of the species. Three haplogroups were identified in the population structure: European–Ural, West Siberian, and American.

On the Gene Pool of Roe Deer (Capreolus) of Eastern Europe: Analysis of the Cyt b Gene Sequence Variability

Sequence analysis of the mtDNA cytochrome b gene (974 bp) was performed using 139 roe deer specimens from different regions of the European part of Russia and Ukraine. The data obtained showed that, at present, both European and Siberian roe deer inhabit this part of the range with predominance of the later: about 60% of individuals carry various Siberian haplotypes, most of which are similar to those in the populations of Capreolus pygargus from the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East. A great variety of mtDNA haplotypes of Siberian roe deer in Eastern Europe is undoubtedly caused by the heterogeneity of founder individuals (immigrants) that were imported from different parts of Asia. Some problems of coexistence of closely related species are discussed.

Polymorphism of the mtDNA Control Region in Reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ) from the Mainland of the Northeastern Part of European Russia

Based on an analysis of the polymorphism of nucleotide sequences (n = 103) of the hypervariable fragment of the mtDNA control region (D-loop), the genetic diversity of wild and domestic reindeer from the mainland of the European Northeast of Russia (eastern parts of Arkhangelsk oblast, Komi Republic, and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug) was studied. Relatively high values of genetic diversity indices were detected. Phylogenetic analysis showed close relationships between reindeer of the study region and those of the tundra zone of Siberia. The influence of domestic reindeer on the formation of the genetic diversity of the wild reindeer was considered as negligible. Genetic lines belonging to an extinct group of forest reindeer from the Nizhny Novgorod region were found among the modern groups of reindeer from the European Northeast of Russia.

Genetic diversity of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka Walbaum of Kamchatka and the Commander Islands based on analysis of the variability of microsatellite DNA

The genetic diversity of the resident and migratory forms of sockeye salmon is investigated in 14 populations from various water bodies of Kamchatka and the Commander Islands by ten loci of microsatellite DNA. There are considerable differences in the frequencies of alleles among the populations of kokanee from Lake Kronotskoe, the residual form of sockeye salmon from Lake Kopylie, and other populations analyzed. Clustering of samples corresponds to their geographic position. No differences in the frequencies of alleles of the investigated loci are found between two forms of resident sockeye salmon from Kronotskoe Lake. In the sockeye salmon from the Commander Islands, a relatively low genetic diversity is found, as well as the greatest remoteness from the other Kamchatka group.

Genetic diversity of wild reindeer Rangifer tarandus L. from the eastern part of the Kola Peninsula: Polymorphism of the mtDNA control region

Based on the results of the analysis of nucleotide sequence polymorphism in the hypervariable fragment (left domain) of the mtDNA control region (D loop), the genetic diversity of wild reindeer from the eastern part of the Kola Peninsula (Murmansk oblast, Terskii region) was studied. Low values of the genetic diversity indices for Eurasian wild reindeer were detected. The effect of domestic reindeer breeding on the development of genetic diversity of the wild reindeer population in the studied region (indicating a low degree of hybridization of domesticated and wild reindeer) was estimated.