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Mitochondrial DNA variation and population structure of the Critically Endangered saiga antelope Saiga tatarica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2006

M.V. Kholodova ,
E.J. Milner-Gulland ,
A.J. Easton ,
L. Amgalan ,
Iu.A. Arylov ,
A. Bekenov ,
Iu.A. Grachev ,
A.A. Lushchekina  and
O. Ryder
M.V. Kholodova
Affiliation:
A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
E.J. Milner-Gulland
Affiliation:
Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Manor House, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, Berks, SG5 7PY, UK
A.J. Easton
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
L. Amgalan
Affiliation:
Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Iu.A. Arylov
Affiliation:
Centre for the Study and Conservation of Wild Animals of Kalmykia, Elista, Russia
A. Bekenov
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, Ministry of Education and Science, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Iu.A. Grachev
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, Ministry of Education and Science, Almaty, Kazakhstan
A.A. Lushchekina
Affiliation:
A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
O. Ryder
Affiliation:
Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego, USA
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Abstract

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We analysed the mtDNA control region (HV1) of 93 tissue samples from all five populations of the saiga antelope Saiga tatarica. The results show a slight but clear distinction between S. t. mongolica and S. t. tatarica, supporting the current designation of S. t. mongolica as a subspecies rather than a separate species. Levels of genetic diversity were low in S. t. mongolica, consistent with the small size of its population and long isolation. Although populations of S. t. tatarica have reasonable levels of genetic diversity, their conservation status is perilous. The Kalmykian and Kazakhstan samples each contained unique haplotypes, although the species as a whole appears polyphyletic, consistent with recent fragmentation and rapid population decline. An understanding of the population genetics of this species is an essential prerequisite for conservation action.

Keywords

Control regiongenetic diversityKalmykiaKazakhstanMongoliaSaiga tatarica
Type
Short Communication
Information
Oryx , Volume 40 , Issue 1 , January 2006 , pp. 103 - 107
Copyright
© 2006 Fauna & Flora International