Genetic differences at the transferrin locus in Norwegian semi-domestic and wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.).

Abstract

Blood samples from 928 reindeer from five semi-domestic and three wild populations of reindeer, Rangifer tarandus L., from southern Norway were analysed for transferrin variability by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A total of 12 alleles were detected, and in all populations the number of alleles was high, ranging from eight to eleven. The mean value of heterozygosities was approximately the same for semi-domestic (0.778) and wild (0.770) populations. The pattern of allele frequency distribution indicates a high degree of genetic heterogeneity in the transferrin locus and each population revealed significant differences for at least one allele between all pairs of combinations. Using a hierarchical approach, 45% of the heterogeneity between populations was explained by dividing into semi-domestic and wild animals. The major contributor to the divergence was the Tfct allele which changed in frequency from a mean (±SD) of 0.331 (±0.040) in semidomestic herds, to 0.167 (±0.045) in wild populations. These results suggest that the different selection strategies in the management of semi-domestic and wild reindeer influence the transferrin allele frequencies.