Population Genetic Characteristics of Siberian Roe Deer in the Cold Temperate Forest Ecosystem of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China

This study focuses on the Siberian roe deer population in the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China. The cold temperate forest ecosystem in this area is distinctive. The Siberian roe deer is a crucial ecological indicator species, and its living conditions hold significant importance for ecolog...

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Main Authors: Xinxin Liu, Yang Hong, Jinhao Guo, Ning Zhang, Shaochun Zhou, Lu Jin, Xiaoqian Ma, Ziao Yuan, Hairong Du, Minghai Zhang, Jialong Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/11/935
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author Xinxin Liu
Yang Hong
Jinhao Guo
Ning Zhang
Shaochun Zhou
Lu Jin
Xiaoqian Ma
Ziao Yuan
Hairong Du
Minghai Zhang
Jialong Wang
author_facet Xinxin Liu
Yang Hong
Jinhao Guo
Ning Zhang
Shaochun Zhou
Lu Jin
Xiaoqian Ma
Ziao Yuan
Hairong Du
Minghai Zhang
Jialong Wang
author_sort Xinxin Liu
collection DOAJ
description This study focuses on the Siberian roe deer population in the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China. The cold temperate forest ecosystem in this area is distinctive. The Siberian roe deer is a crucial ecological indicator species, and its living conditions hold significant importance for ecological balance. From the winter of 2019 to 2022, 269 fecal samples of Siberian roe deer were collected from four protected areas in the northern part of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Heilongjiang Province. These samples were comprehensively analyzed using mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers, combined with conservation genetics evaluation methods. The results revealed that 244 individuals were identified in the fecal samples. The results of a Cyt b genetic analysis of the samples indicated that the haplotype and nucleotide diversity were 88.1% and 20.3%, respectively. The evaluation of 14 pairs of microsatellite loci showed that the average number of alleles was 11.2, and the average expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.672 and 0.506, respectively. Therefore, the overall genetic diversity level is high, but some populations of Siberian roe deer are at risk. AMOVA analysis and STRUCTURE Bayesian clustering confirmed the existence of obvious genetic differentiation among the populations. Historical studies have shown that the HZ and SH populations underwent the earliest diffusion events, and the BJC and SL populations also exhibited related signs (HZ: Huzhong Nature Reserve in the Greater Khingan Mountains; SH: Shuanghe National Nature Reserve in Heilongjiang Province; BJC: Heilongjiang Beijicun National Nature Reserve; SL: Songling District in Heilongjiang Province). Mismatch distribution and neutral tests indicated no expansion events or bottleneck effects in the population, and the inbreeding coefficient was positive, suggesting the possibility of inbreeding. The development potential of the population in the future varies among the various local populations. This study supports the biodiversity of Siberian roe deer at the genetic level to save the population and provides important scientific basis and reference for the protection and management of Siberian roe deer.
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spelling doaj-art-e01bf9df7da647358eddb97ecd8e89162024-11-26T17:52:31ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372024-11-01131193510.3390/biology13110935Population Genetic Characteristics of Siberian Roe Deer in the Cold Temperate Forest Ecosystem of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast ChinaXinxin Liu0Yang Hong1Jinhao Guo2Ning Zhang3Shaochun Zhou4Lu Jin5Xiaoqian Ma6Ziao Yuan7Hairong Du8Minghai Zhang9Jialong Wang10College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaCollege of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaCollege of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaCollege of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaWildlife Research Institute of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin 150010, ChinaCollege of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaWildlife Research Institute of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin 150010, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150080, ChinaCollege of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaCollege of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaInstitute of Applied Microbiology, Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150010, ChinaThis study focuses on the Siberian roe deer population in the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China. The cold temperate forest ecosystem in this area is distinctive. The Siberian roe deer is a crucial ecological indicator species, and its living conditions hold significant importance for ecological balance. From the winter of 2019 to 2022, 269 fecal samples of Siberian roe deer were collected from four protected areas in the northern part of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Heilongjiang Province. These samples were comprehensively analyzed using mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers, combined with conservation genetics evaluation methods. The results revealed that 244 individuals were identified in the fecal samples. The results of a Cyt b genetic analysis of the samples indicated that the haplotype and nucleotide diversity were 88.1% and 20.3%, respectively. The evaluation of 14 pairs of microsatellite loci showed that the average number of alleles was 11.2, and the average expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.672 and 0.506, respectively. Therefore, the overall genetic diversity level is high, but some populations of Siberian roe deer are at risk. AMOVA analysis and STRUCTURE Bayesian clustering confirmed the existence of obvious genetic differentiation among the populations. Historical studies have shown that the HZ and SH populations underwent the earliest diffusion events, and the BJC and SL populations also exhibited related signs (HZ: Huzhong Nature Reserve in the Greater Khingan Mountains; SH: Shuanghe National Nature Reserve in Heilongjiang Province; BJC: Heilongjiang Beijicun National Nature Reserve; SL: Songling District in Heilongjiang Province). Mismatch distribution and neutral tests indicated no expansion events or bottleneck effects in the population, and the inbreeding coefficient was positive, suggesting the possibility of inbreeding. The development potential of the population in the future varies among the various local populations. This study supports the biodiversity of Siberian roe deer at the genetic level to save the population and provides important scientific basis and reference for the protection and management of Siberian roe deer.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/11/935Siberian roe deer (<i>Capreolus pygargus</i>)genetic diversitygenetic differentiationgenetic structurepopulation dynamics
spellingShingle Xinxin Liu
Yang Hong
Jinhao Guo
Ning Zhang
Shaochun Zhou
Lu Jin
Xiaoqian Ma
Ziao Yuan
Hairong Du
Minghai Zhang
Jialong Wang
Population Genetic Characteristics of Siberian Roe Deer in the Cold Temperate Forest Ecosystem of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China
Biology
Siberian roe deer (<i>Capreolus pygargus</i>)
genetic diversity
genetic differentiation
genetic structure
population dynamics
title Population Genetic Characteristics of Siberian Roe Deer in the Cold Temperate Forest Ecosystem of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China
title_full Population Genetic Characteristics of Siberian Roe Deer in the Cold Temperate Forest Ecosystem of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China
title_fullStr Population Genetic Characteristics of Siberian Roe Deer in the Cold Temperate Forest Ecosystem of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China
title_full_unstemmed Population Genetic Characteristics of Siberian Roe Deer in the Cold Temperate Forest Ecosystem of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China
title_short Population Genetic Characteristics of Siberian Roe Deer in the Cold Temperate Forest Ecosystem of the Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China
title_sort population genetic characteristics of siberian roe deer in the cold temperate forest ecosystem of the greater khingan mountains northeast china
topic Siberian roe deer (<i>Capreolus pygargus</i>)
genetic diversity
genetic differentiation
genetic structure
population dynamics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/11/935
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