Sable Martes Zibellina Research Articles

Taxonomic Assessment of the Karyological Characteristics of Sable (<i>Martes zibellina</i>) and Other Representatives of the Ginus <i>Martes</i> (Carnivora, Mammalia)

A revision of the original description of the karyotype of the sable Martes zibellina was carried out, data on the mitotic metaphase chromosomes of the female and male of this species and a comparison of their sets with those of closely related species of the genus Martes are presented. We also provide a description of the synaptonemal complex (SC) in the early – middle prophase of meiosis in sable spermatocytes. Comparative analysis confirmed the stability and similarity of the main cytogenetic parameters of sables and martens (2n = 38, NFa = 64–68, X is the average submetacentric, and Y is the smallest meta,-submeta,- or acrocentric). A small polymorphism associated with the representation of one- or two-armed smallest elements of the diploid set of chromosomes was revealed. These features are of little use for the development of intraspecific taxonomy of sable, but can be used to reveal phylogenetic relationships at the species and generic levels, as well as to identify the consequences of natural hybridization of closely related species of the genus Martes.

Identification of mutant gene for Black crystal coat and non-allelic gene interactions in Neogale vison

Sable (Martes zibellina) and American mink (Neogale vison) are valuable species characterized by a variety of coat colour produced on fur farms. Black crystal fur phenotype is Mendelian codominant trait: heterozygous animals (Cr/ +) have white guard hairs scattered predominantly on the spine and the head, while homozygous (Cr/Cr) minks have coats resembling the Himalayan (ch/ch) or white Hedlund (h/h) types. It is one of the most recent of more than 35 currently known phenotypic traits of fur colour in American mink. Black crystal fur phenotype was first described in 1984 in the Russian population of mink, which had undergone selection for domestic defensive response to humans. Here, we performed whole-genome sequencing of American mink with Cr/Cr phenotype. We identified a missense mutation in the gene encoding the α-COP subunit of the COPI complex (COPA). The COPI complex mediates retrograde trafficking from the Golgi system to the endoplasmic reticulum and sorting of transmembrane proteins. We observed an interaction between a newly identified mutation in the COPA gene and a mutation in the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), the latter mutation led to the formation of the white Hedlund (h/h) phenotype. Double heterozygotes for these mutations have an entirely white coat and a black-eyed phenotype similar to the phenotype of Cr/Cr or h/h minks. Our data could be useful for tracking economically valuable fur traits in mink breeding programs to contribute to global fur production.

Species-Specific Structure of the Frontal Part of the Skull in the Sable (Martes zibellina) and the European Pine Marten (Martes martes)

Species-Specific Structure of the Frontal Part of the Skull in the Sable (Martes zibellina) and the European Pine Marten (Martes martes)

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ АЛЛЕЛЬНОГО СОСТАВА МИКРОСАТЕЛЛИТНОГО ЛОКУСА МА-3 У СОБОЛЯ (MARTES ZIBELLINA L., 1758) СРЕДНЕГО ПРИАМУРЬЯ: АНАЛИЗ СБОРОВ ПОСЛЕДОВАТЕЛЬНЫХ ОХОТНИЧЬИХ СЕЗОНОВ

The authors investigated the allele microsatellite locus Ma-3 composition in the Middle Amur Region sable (Martes zibellina). Three subpopulations of animals from the Bureinsky Highlands (Magan, Sutyr and Kamenushka), as well as one from the western macro slope of the Sikhote-Alin ridge (Manoma) were analyzed. The genetic material was collected for the hunting seasons of 2011/2012 – 2017/2018. Subpopulations of the northern (Magan) and middle (Sutyr) parts of the Bureinsky ridge were most similar to each other in their allele composition In the subpopulation of the Bureinsky Highlands southern part (Kamenushka) some slight differences were found. In the Manoma subpopulation, the specific allele 129 was found in hunting catches of 2012-2013 and 2017-2018. The specific allele presence in this subpopulation has proved some geographic isolation between the Sikhote Alin and the Bureinsky Highlands sable populations.

Evolution of major histocompatibility complex class I genes in the sable Martes zibellina (Carnivora, Mustelidae).

The molecules encoded by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes play an essential role in the adaptive immune response among vertebrates. We investigated the molecular evolution of MHC class I genes in the sable Martes zibellina. We isolated 26 MHC class I sequences, including 12 putatively functional sequences and 14 pseudogene sequences, from 24 individuals from two geographic areas of northeast China. The number of putatively functional sequences found in a single individual ranged from one to five, which might be at least 1–3 loci. We found that both balancing selection and recombination contribute to evolution of MHC class I genes in M. zibellina. In addition, we identified a candidate nonclassical MHC class I lineage in Carnivora, which may have preceded the divergence (about 52–57 Mya) of Caniformia and Feliformia. This may contribute to further understanding of the origin and evolution of nonclassical MHC class I genes. Our study provides important immune information of MHC for M. zibellina, as well as other carnivores.

Darkening of the color as а marker sign of reduced reproductive ability of female sable (martes zibellina) and mink (neovison vison)

Based on the materials of 23 fur-bearing animal farms of the Russia for different periods of years, a comparative assessment of the reproductive capacity of sable and mink females of standard breeds (wild type) has been carried out. It was established that during intrabreeding differentiation according to the overall color of the hair coat (almost black, black-brown, dark brown and chestnut), the lowest reproduction level is characterized by darker females of sable, which are a significant increase in the number of them, mated with male, but not given offspring (barren females). According to the results of interbreed comparisons of sables and minks, parallelism was found in the variability of the reproductive capacity of females, which is manifested in the fact that, in contrast to relatively light animals, animals that are dark in color are characterized by a greater number of barren females and low fecundity.

Mitochondrial DNA markers for the study of introgression between the sable and the pine marten

We clarify the contribution of gene introgression in the recovery of the sable Martes zibellina, which has undergone significant population declines by the end of the nineteenth century. To verify the contribution of interspecific gene introgression, variation among the sable and the pine marten Martes martes was investigated utilizing restriction fragment analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene as a genetic markers. Evidence of symmetric introgression of mitochondrial genes between the species was detected. Frequency of marten haplotypes in the sable was 8.3%, while sable haplotype was found in 10% of the martens. The low frequency of mitochondrial DNA haplotype A indicates a comparatively low portion of the Eastern lines in the current sable populations in Western Siberia, despite the introduction of a large number of Eastern sable subspecies. These findings are of great importance for the conservation genetics of the sable. Overhunting of the sable as a more fur valuable species than the pine marten may lead to violation of the dynamic equilibrium between genetic systems of these related species. Mitochondrial markers can be used to identify genetic lines of other species or subspecies in hybrid zones.

Генетическая структура популяции соболя (Martes zibellina) Буреинского нагорья по сборам одного охотничьего сезона

Генетическая структура популяции соболя (Martes zibellina) Буреинского нагорья по сборам одного охотничьего сезона

Occurrence of Sable (Martes zibellina, Carnivora, Mustelidae) beyond the Boundaries of the Species Range in the Middle Urals: Facts from 2014–2016

Eleven sables were captured in Sverdlovsk oblast, at distances of 133 to 203 km from the southwestern boundary of the species range, in 2014–2016. The capture sites were located within the species range of the pine marten. A brief description of the animals, photographs, morphometric data, and a map of capture sites are provided. Violation of the species range boundaries is enabled by local predominance of one species over another with regard to population size. An example of a female tagged in the Pechoro-Ilychskii Nature Reserve and caught a year later near the town of Karpinsk, 233 km from the tagging site, is given.

Genetic individualization of sable (Martes zibellina L. 1758) using microsatellites

ABSTRACTGenetic individualization based on non-invasive sampling is crucial for estimating the numbers of individuals in endangered mammalian populations. In sable (Martes zibellina)-poaching cases, identifying the number of animals involved is critical for determining the penalty. In addition, investigating animal numbers for wild sable populations requires genetic individualization when collecting several samples in neighboring regions. Microsatellites have been demonstrated to be reliable markers for individual identification. Thirty-three microsatellite loci derived from Mustelidae were selected to develop a genetic individualization method for sable. Three reference populations containing 54 unrelated sables were used to calculate allele number, allelic frequencies, and the polymorphic information content of each locus. The data were subsequently used to assess the validity of a combination of twelve loci for sable individualization. We defined twelve polymorphic loci that were easy to be amplified and genotyped. Four significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed among the 12 loci in the three populations. The match probability of an individual from the reference populations with a random individual based on the 12 loci was 1.37 × 10−13. Using the combination of the twelve loci provides sufficient power to individualize sables considering the levels of microsatellite polymorphism observed. These loci were successfully applied to a case of sable poaching and provided valid evidence to determine the penalty. The genetic individualization of sable based on these loci might also be useful to investigate the numbers of animals in wild populations.

Influence of the biologically active dietary supplement Floravit® on the skin and hair structure in sable (Martes zibellina)

It is important to search for new highly effective multicomponent compounds that are able to influence several of animals’ homeostasis systems simultaneously to improve the physiological adaptation of fur animals to different conditions of nutrition. This is the function of the feed additive Floravit® – a natural bioregulator. The compound is a combination of biologically active ingredients produced by the mycelial fungus Fusarium sambucinum. Studied was the effect of Floravit® on the structure of the skin and hair in adult female sable (Martes zibellina). The scientific and economic experiment was conducted at the JSC “Plemzavod Pushkinskyi” in the Moscow Region during the period of winter fur formation in October-November. The study of the morphological structure of the hair and skin cover was carried out in the chine, side and rump topographical areas. The structure of the guard hairs in the main topographical areas was examined on a scanning electron microscope. The experiment showed that administration of Floravit® per os to adult female sable at a dose of 1.0 ml per head per day throughout the period of winter pelt formation in October-November has an influence on the morphological structure of all the categories of hair on all topographic pelt areas. Animals in the test group exposed to Floravit® exhibited an increase in guide hair length on the chine and side, when compared to controls, by 4.1 mm (p < 0.001) and by 2.8 mm (p < 0.01), respectively. The length of guard hair on the chine, side and rump increased by 8.1, 7.8 and 7.8 mm (p < 0.001), respectively. An increase in down hair length was recorded in all areas of the pelt, when compared to controls, by 13.0, 4.5 and 6.3 mm (p < 0.001). An increase in dermal thickness was recorded in the chine area by 0.7 mm (p < 0.001). The specified changed in the skin and hair structure in sable adult females after using Floravit® have shown a positive influence on the quality of hair cover. As a result, bioregulator Floravit® takes part in the adaptation process of the sable organism to external factors.

Изменчивость небных складок у соболя (Martes zibellina) Среднего Приамурья

Изменчивость небных складок у соболя (Martes zibellina) Среднего Приамурья

Habitat selection and their interspecific interactions for mammal assemblage in the Greater Khingan Mountains, northeastern China

Patterns of habitat use profoundly influence interactions among wildlife species and ecological communities, the sustainability of species and the stability of populations. The Eurasian lynxLynx lynx,sableMartes zibellina,mooseAlces alces,roe deerCapreolus pygargusand mountain hareLepus timidusare sympatric carnivore and herbivore species in Hanma Nature Reserve in the Greater Khingan Mountains, northeastern China. We conducted snow track sample plot surveys of these mammals during the winter of 2012–2013 and analyzed habitat selection characteristics and interspecific interactions. We screened the preferred habitat variables of each species and predicted their potential occurrence probability by generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) and further, selected the best model of each species that incorporated other species' potential occurrence probability in GLMM. Our results showed that when we only considered habitat factors in the model: 1) river valley was the most favored habitat factor in winter that lynx, moose and mountain hare showed strong selection on; 2) lynx preferred areas with steep slope and coniferous forest; 3) sable only avoided the forest edge; 4) roe deer avoided sparse shrub forest but preferred coniferous forest. When we incorporated other species' presence probability in GLMM: 1) the presence probability of moose and roe deer had no significant relationship with other species; 2) lynx preferred areas with higher mountain hare potential occurrence probability; 3) sable preferred areas with higher mountain hare but less lynx occurrence probability; 4) mountain hare preferred to inhabit areas with sympatric roe deer and lynx. These results will provide guidance for species specific habitat conservation and restoration, and wildlife population management based on interspecific interactions.

Isoenzyme spectra of lactate dehydrogenase in tissues of mammals of the Mustelidae family

A comparative analysis of distribution of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes in the heart, kidneys, lungs, spleen, liver and skeletal muscle was performed in 4 species of carnivorous mammals (Mustelidae family): American mink (Mustela vison Schr.), polecat (Mustela putorius L.), sable (Martes zibellina L.) and pine marten (Martes martes L.). It was found that in the mink, unlike pure terrestrial mustelids (polecat, sable, pine marten), the anaerobic LDH-5 fraction was predominant in the LDH isoenzyme spectrum in the liver, skeletal muscle, lungs and spleen. In all species studied, aerobic B(H) subunits of LDH were found to prevail in the heart and kidney, whereas anaerobic A(M) subunits prevailed in the liver and spleen. The tissue- and species-specific features of LDH isoenzyme spectra revealed in different mustelids reflect the biochemical adaptation of the animals to environmental conditions.

Morphological peculiarities as indicators of natural history of sable (Martes zibellina) in North-Asia Pacific coast

Few studies exist on phenotypic composition of the sable populations in the Russian Far East, China and Japan. We present new data on the morphological diversification of sable for 20 mainland and island populations in an effort to document existing variability and produce baseline data that would be useful in constructing phylogenies for this species. Сlinal variability of skull size, cranial phene, foramen in fossa condyloidei inferior (FFCI), and fur coloration is revealed. One district, Central Sikhote-Alin, is characterized by sables with the minimum cranial size and the maximum phene expression. The area between the Uda River and Goryun and Amgun rivers is inhabited by sables of the darkest fur coloration. Moving out from those areas in all directions we were detected a trend of increasing skull size, reduction of cranial phene, and decreasing color intensity of fur. The skull size of sable is consistent with Bergmann’s rule. Special attention paid to the particular morphological properties of insular populations in specific climatic conditions and under isolation from the continent. They are characterized by minimal expression phene FFCI (Bolshoi Shantar, Iturup, and Hokkaido islands) and larger skull size, especially in sable of Kamchatka Peninsula. It is hypothesized that the area of the lower Amur Basin was a source of sable postglacial dispersal on the Eurasian Continent.

Complete mitochondrial genome reveals the phylogenetic relationship of sable Martes zibellina linkouensis

abstractOver-hunting of the sable (Martes zibellina) in China since the 1950s has resulted in a dramatic decline of sable population size; and owing to effective conservation measures in recent years, sable populations in some areas are going through a rapid recovery. We first determined and annotated the whole mtDNA genome of the Lesser Khingan Mountains sable M. zibellina linkouensis to better understand the evolutionary relationship of this subspecies. The complete mitogenome is 16 460 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 1 control region. We built the phylogenetic tree of three sable subspecies in Northeast China and other 10 species of Mustelinae.

Role of badger setts in life of other carnivores

A study of interspecific interactions of European (Meles meles) and Asian (M. leucurus) badgers with other carnivores at badger setts was carried out in Darwin Reserve (European part of Russia) and in Ussuriisk Reserve (Russian Far East) in 2006-2011. We used camera traps for the registration of visits of carnivore mammals to the badger setts. Overall, 11 species were recorded. In both reserves, badger setts attract carnivore species during the whole year. Some predators visit badger setts regularly. The visitors can be divided into two groups: species searching shelter, or searching prey. The first group includes raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides and red fox Vulpes vulpes. Raccoon dog was the most frequent visitor in both study areas (34 visits in Darwin reserve and 73 in Ussuriisk reserve). The second group includes lynx Lynx lynx and wolf Canis lupus in Darwin reserve and Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus, brown bear U. arctos, yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula aterrima and lynx Lynx lynx in Ussuriisk reserve. Smaller predators are also included into the second group because they can find prey at badger setts too: leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura, sable Martes zibellina and Siberian weasel Mustela sibirica in Ussuriisk reserve and European pine marten Martes martes in Darwin reserve. No cases of aggressive interactions between the badgers and the visitors were recorded. But we noted two cases of change of sett owners and one case when raccoon dog removed dead badger cubs from the sett.

Colonization history of the sableMartes zibellina(Mammalia, Carnivora) on the marginal peninsula and islands of northeastern Eurasia

We examined the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (976 base pairs) for 279 individuals of the sable Martes zibellina (Carnivora, Mustelidae), derived from diverse areas throughout the regions of the Ural Mountains to the Russian Far East on the Eurasian continent and the peripheral peninsula (Kamchatka) and islands (Sakhalin, Hokkaido, and southern Kurils). The demographic history of the sable and its migration history to the eastern peripheral peninsula and islands were inferred using phylogeographic approaches. The analyses confirmed the previously found major lineages for the examined sables and further identified novel sublineages. Our data also support that a lineage, which is endemic to the eastern marginal islands (Sakhalin, Hokkaido, and southern Kurils), was produced by the demographic expansion of an ancestral lineage in the Eurasian continent. The most recent common ancestor of the Sakhalin, Hokkaido, and southern Kuril sables was estimated to exist during the Late Pleistocene. We also determined that another lineage exists on Sakhalin and is shared by the Far East Primorsky population. Our results indicate multiple migration events onto Sakhalin from the continent and suggest the importance of the formation of several straits to the distribution of sable lineages. Meanwhile, Kamchatka is dominated by a sole lineage which would also have followed the demographic expansion on the Eurasian continent. The Russian Far East was indicated as the source area for lineage diversifications; in this region, genetic diversity was relatively high, which is consistent with previous studies.

Geographical structure of the sable (Martes zibellina L.) gene pool on the basis of microsatellite loci analysis

The genetic structure of seven natural sable populations was investigated with the use of the original panel of 10 microsatellite loci. The populations were selected on the basis of the historical data on sable numbers fluctuations for the last 300 years, as well as on data on natural and artificial migrations affecting neighboring populations. We have demonstrated that the populations are in a state of genetic equilibrium for the majority of the loci. The genetic differences between three samplings from Central Siberia populations were insignificant, and the fixation index values were relatively low. At the same time, populations from the margins of the species habitation areal were characterized by the highest fixation index values. We have shown for the first time that populations from different regions of the sable habitation areal maintain their specific features despite the influence of natural and artificial migrations. The current study, performed with nuclear genetic markers, made it possible to get insight into the genetic structure of the analyzed species as a whole.

Changes in fur color in different age groups of the sable (Martes zibellina, Carnivora, Mustelidae) in the middle Aldan River basin

Differences in fur color have been revealed between sables of different age groups identified by the number of annual layers in the canine teeth. In particular, the fur of young of the year is relatively light and contrasts with darker fur in animals of older age groups. The results of analyzing possible causes of this phenomenon provide evidence that species-specific features of inheritance and environmental conditions of the region have a multidirectional effect on the color of sable fur.