Abstract
BackgroundThe mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region is extensively used in the phylogeography of species. We examined sequence variations in the mtDNA control region of sambar (Rusa unicolor) populations from the South, Central and North India.ResultsMost of the samples collected from the south India exhibited a 40 bp insertion in the mtDNA control region. This insertion was not observed in the North and Central Indian populations.ConclusionThis study provided a potential marker for molecular screening and identification of sambar populations in the form of a distinct 40 bp insertion. Some populations in South India did not exhibit this insertion. It indicates that there could be an ecological barrier that might be preventing the expansion of insertion-positive sambar population.
Highlights
The mitochondrial DNA control region is extensively used in the phylogeography of species
Despite a large distribution range, very limited information is available on genetic variations for this species
PCR amplifications that were 40 bp longer than the expected size were obtained with DNA extracted from 23 samples from South India (Fig. 1)
Summary
The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region is extensively used in the phylogeography of species. We examined sequence variations in the mtDNA control region of sambar (Rusa unicolor) populations from the South, Central and North India. The sambar (Rusa unicolor) is the largest cervid species in Southeast Asia. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region has been used extensively in studying the population genetics of wild species, for example the tiger, Panthera tigris [2]; wild pig, Sus scrofa [3]; cervids [4]; sika deer, Cervus nippon [5]; roe deer, Capreolus capreolus [6]; white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus [7]; Chinese water deer, Hydropotes inermis inermis [8] and black muntjac, Muntiacus crinifrons [9].
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