Genetic diversity of cytochrome b in Iberian ibex from Andalusia

Abstract

We analysed the diversity of the cytochrome b gene in Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica) populations in the southern Iberian Peninsula by sequencing a fragment (987 bp) of this gene in 347 ibex from 10 population nuclei in Andalusia. We found 25 different haplotypes, which account for 64.10% of all haplotypes thus far described for the species (n = 39). All ibex populations other than those from Sierra de Loja shared haplotype EU081020, which was also the most frequent. Twenty haplotypes (80%) were present exclusively in just one population. Of the studied populations, ibex from the Sierra Nevada Natural Space had the greatest genetic diversity in this marker, which was found to harbour 17 cyt b haplotypes. Phylogenetic analyses based on the cytochrome b marker do not support the subspecific classification of this taxon proposed at the beginning of the twentieth century, although three distinct management units can be distinguished. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results on the management of this species. Although the results presented do not describe the structure of the population or the gene flow, it gives an accurate picture of the diversity of this mitochondrial marker, which can be considered a reflection of the historical processes that these populations have undergone.