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Genetic Diversity of the Eastern Subspecies of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in Russia Revealed by mtDNA and Microsatellite Polymorphism

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Abstract

We analyzed the polymorphism of the complete mtDNA cytochrome b gene (1140 bp) and 12 microsatellite nDNA loci of the eastern red deer Cervus elaphus subspecies—Siberian C. e. sibiricus and Far East C. e. xanthopygus wapiti. On the territory of Russia, 112 samples were collected from different parts of the range, including Yakutia, where individuals with intermediate morphometric traits were found. We described 41 haplotypes, with no common haplotypes found for Siberian and Far East wapiti. Phylogenetic cytochrome b analysis revealed traces of ancestral polymorphism or introgression from Far East wapiti into Siberian wapiti. The red deer of Yakutia formed two haplogroups: the first group was genetically closer to Siberian wapiti, and the second was closer to American wapiti. The latter may indicate the preservation of ancient lines in Yakutia, which participated in the North America colonization during the Pleistocene glaciation. Microsatellite analysis revealed a little differentiation between the subspecies (Fst = 0.037), reflecting the presence of a constant gene flow between their populations. The genotypes of red deer from Yakutia demonstrate heterogeneity, indicating their mixed origin.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are gre greteful to the owners of red deer farms for providing material for analysis, as well as S.L. Kalnov, N.A. Vlasova, A.V. Kuvaev, and I.A. Minakov, who participated in the collection of samples. The study was carried out on the basis of the Cabinet of Methods for Molecular Diagnostics of the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, which is part of the Center for Collective Use Instrumental Methods in Ecology.

Funding

The study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research within the framework of scientific project no. 20-34-90123.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    O. S. Golosova, M. V. Kholodova, I. A. Volodin & T. P. Sipko

  2. Moscow State University, 119991, Moscow, Russia

    I. A. Volodin

  3. Pacific Geographical Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690041, Vladivostok, Russia

    I. V. Seryodkin

  4. Institute for Biological Problems of Cryolithozone, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 677000, Yakutsk, Russia

    I. M. Okhlopkov & A. V. Argunov

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  1. O. S. Golosova
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  2. M. V. Kholodova
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  3. I. A. Volodin
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  4. I. V. Seryodkin
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  5. I. M. Okhlopkov
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  6. A. V. Argunov
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  7. T. P. Sipko
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Correspondence to O. S. Golosova.

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Statement on the welfare of animals. All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. Samples were taken from animals from farms during planned activities, as well as from wild animals that were legally hunted or died from natural causes.

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Golosova, O.S., Kholodova, M.V., Volodin, I.A. et al. Genetic Diversity of the Eastern Subspecies of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in Russia Revealed by mtDNA and Microsatellite Polymorphism. Biol Bull Rev 13, 482–494 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079086423050110

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