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Interspecific hybridization between greater kudu and nyala

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Abstract

Hybridization of wildlife species, even in the absence of introgression, is of concern due to wasted reproductive effort and a reduction in productivity. In this study we detail an accidental mating between a female nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) and a male greater kudu (T. strepsiceros). The hybrid was phenotypically nyala and was identified as such based on mitochondrial DNA. Further genetic analysis based on nine microsatellite markers, chromosome number and chromosome morphology however, confirmed its status as an F1 hybrid. Results obtained from a reproductive potential assessment indicated that this animal does not have the potential to breed successfully and can be considered as sterile.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the farmers for providing the reference material for this study. We are most grateful to Prof T.J. Robinson for comments on this and previous drafts of the manuscript. Mrs M.M. Bouwer is thanked for assisting in sample collection and Dr M. Kock for providing a photo of the greater kudu cow.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    Desiré L. Dalton, Adrian Tordiffe, Ilse Luther, Anna M. van Wyk, Helene Brettschneider, Almero Oosthuizen, Catherine Modiba & Antoinette Kotzé

  2. Genetics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa

    Desiré L. Dalton & Antoinette Kotzé

  3. Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa

    Assumpta Duran

  4. Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa

    Adrian Tordiffe

Authors
  1. Desiré L. Dalton
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  2. Adrian Tordiffe
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  3. Ilse Luther
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  4. Assumpta Duran
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  5. Anna M. van Wyk
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  7. Almero Oosthuizen
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  8. Catherine Modiba
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  9. Antoinette Kotzé
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Desiré L. Dalton.

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Dalton, D.L., Tordiffe, A., Luther, I. et al. Interspecific hybridization between greater kudu and nyala. Genetica 142, 265–271 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-014-9772-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-014-9772-7

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