Genetic diversity and phylogeography of European Roe Deer, Capreolus capreolus, in Iran as inferred from mtDNA genes (Mammalia: Cervidae)

Abstract

We examined the genetic diversity and phlogeographic characters of European Roe Deer populations across its distribution range in Iran. Mitochondrial DNA from 46 samples were sequenced for 1138 bp of cytochrome b and 1020 bp of ND2 genes and analysed alongside the retrieved sequences from GenBank in a concatenated form. The results demonstrated a relatively low nucleotide diversity and high haplotype diversity in the Roe Deer populations of Iran. Two distinct clusters of Roe Deer populations, in the northern and in the western/northwestern part of the country, were recognised based on phylogenetic trees, haplotype network analyses, and Bayesian structuring tests. The presence of some individuals of the western/northwestern regions in the clade of the northern population can be assumed as evidence for occasional gene flow between these two regions. Furthermore, the samples from both populations of Iran were clustered with samples from European countries. It seems this species probably entered Iran from Europe through northern Iran, and then spread to the western/northwestern regions of the country over time.