Mitochondrial DNA Variations in Local Populations of the Japanese Sika Deer, Cervus nippon

Abstract

A partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene was determined for seven subspecies of sika deer (Cervus nippon) in the Japanese Islands. Nine mitochondrial DNA genotypes were distinguishable among deer sampled. Sequence analysis revealed two major phylogenetic groups comprised of northern (Hokkaido-Honshu) and southern (Kyushu) local populations. Estimated nucleotide divergence between genotypes found in southern populations was ≤1.1%, which indicated that genetic differentiation within this group occurred recently. Phylogenetic data suggest that the biogeographical boundary between northern and southern populations of sika deer lies somewhere in the Honshu mainland and not in channels that separate each Japanese Island as has been suggested. C. n. keramae, an endangered subspecies in the Kerama Islands, was found to be genotypically close to other subspecies from southern populations. C. n. keramae may have descended from deer originally introduced from Kyushu Island.