Genetic diversity and population structure of domestic and wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L. 1758): A novel approach using BovineHD BeadChip.

Veronika Ruslanovna Kharzinova,Tatiana Evgenievna Deniskova,Valeriy Ivanovich Fedorov,Henry Reyer,Kasim Anverovich Layshev,Anastasiya Dmitrievna Solovieva,Arsen Vladimirovich Dotsev,Natalia Anatolievna Zinovieva,Gottfried Brem,Innokentiy Michailovich Okhlopkov,Klaus Wimmers,Tatiana Michailovna Romanenko,Yong-Gang Yao

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0207944

Abstract

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L. 1758) are an essential element of the Russian Far North, providing a significant source of nutrition for the representatives of 18 ethnicities. The species has wild and domestic forms, which are in constant interaction. The aim of our study was to characterize the genetic structure of domestic and wild reindeer populations, using a genome-wide bovine genotyping array (BovineHD BeadChip). The wild reindeer samples were obtained from the western Taymyr Peninsula population and from the taiga and tundra populations in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). The domestic populations included the Evenk, Even, and Chukotka-Khargin breeds of Yakutia and the Nenets breed from the Nenets Autonomous district and Murmansk region. The level of genetic diversity was higher for the wild population. Analyzing Neighbor-Net tree, multidimensional scaling, and Structure results, we observed strong genetic population structure and clear differentiation between domestic and wild populations. All regional populations of domestic reindeer were clearly separated, while wild reindeer showed similar genetic backgrounds. Nevertheless, we found contrasting patterns in the genetic structure of the tundra and taiga reindeer, in accordance with their morphological and ecological differences. Thus, our study revealed a clear genetic differentiation between domestic and wild reindeer populations. It provides novel insights into the genetic diversity and structure of reindeer populations, to support resource utilization and aid in the development of genetic improvement strategies and conservation programs for this species.

Highlights

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L. 1758), known as caribou in North America, is a deer species with circumpolar distribution and is native to Arctic, Subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia, and North America [1; 2]
Our results provide a scientific basis for maintaining genetic diversity and preventing the loss of this important resource, for Russia but the whole Arctic zone
Genetic diversity was higher for the wild population (Ho = 0.172, He = 0.177), compared to the domestic breeds (Ho = 0.167, He = 0.175)

Summary

Introduction

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L. 1758), known as caribou in North America, is a deer species with circumpolar distribution and is native to Arctic, Subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia, and North America [1; 2]. 1758), known as caribou in North America, is a deer species with circumpolar distribution and is native to Arctic, Subarctic, tundra, boreal, and mountainous regions of northern Europe, Siberia, and North America [1; 2]. Among modern ruminants, it is the only species having both wild and domestic forms, which are in constant interaction [3; 4]. In 1985, by order No 212 of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture (formerly the USSR Ministry of Agriculture), four reindeer breeds were officially recognized: Nenets, Even, Evenk, and Chukotka [7]. All reindeer breeds are the result of selection by different northern communities and are characterized by their behavior and adaptability to their respective environments [8]

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Conclusion