Naemorhedus Caudatus Research Articles

Cross-species amplification of Bovidae microsatellites and low diversity of the endangered Korean goral.

The Korean goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus) is an endangered species of wild goat. The conservation and management of this species could benefit from a better understanding of its genetic diversity and structure. Cross-species amplification of 34 Bovidae microsatellite loci was tested on a panel of 6 Korean gorals and 10 domestic goats. After polymerase chain reaction (PCR) optimization, 29 (85.3%) microsatellite loci amplified successfully for the Korean gorals and 27 (79.4%) for the domestic goats. Of the amplified products, 16 (55.2%) were polymorphic in the Korean goral and 22 (81.5%) in domestic goats. Nei's unbiased mean heterozygosity and mean allele number per locus were, respectively, 0.356 and 2.6 in the Korean goral and 0.636 and 4.8 in domestic goats. Low genetic diversity in the Korean gorals observed in this preliminary microsatellite survey suggests an urgent need for further detailed study of genetic diversity in Korean goral populations and a population management strategy based on these studies. Current results of cross-species amplification of domestic Bovidae microsatellites could be employed for the necessary population genetic studies on the Korean goral and other endangered Caprinae species.

Charles Rathouis's painting (1889) of Augustine Henry's goral from the Yichang gorges, China

An original watercolour by the French Jesuit Père Charles Rathouis (1834–1890) of a goral from central China, named Kemas henryanus by Père Pierre Heude (now Naemorhedus caudatus griseus Milne-Edwards 1872), is described; the history of the animal depicted is recounted from Dr Augustine Henry's manuscript diaries and other sources.

Long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) in southwest Primorskiy Territory

Long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) in southwest Primorskiy Territory