Genetic diversity and population structure of domestic and wild reindeer

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L. 1758) are an essential element of the Russian Far North, providing a significant source of nutrition for the representatives of 18 ethnicities. The species has wild and domestic forms, which are in constant interaction. The aim of our study was to characterize the gene...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2018-11, Vol.13 (11), p.e0207944
Main Authors: Kharzinova, Veronika Ruslanovna, Dotsev, Arsen Vladimirovich, Deniskova, Tatiana Evgenievna, Solovieva, Anastasiya Dmitrievna, Fedorov, Valeriy Ivanovich, Layshev, Kasim Anverovich, Romanenko, Tatiana Michailovna, Okhlopkov, Innokentiy Michailovich, Wimmers, Klaus, Reyer, Henry, Brem, Gottfried, Zinovieva, Natalia Anatolievna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beef cattle
Biodiversity
Caribou
Genetic aspects
Genomes
Genomics
Human nutrition
Novels
Nutrition
Planning
Wildlife conservation
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Summary:Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L. 1758) are an essential element of the Russian Far North, providing a significant source of nutrition for the representatives of 18 ethnicities. The species has wild and domestic forms, which are in constant interaction. The aim of our study was to characterize the genetic structure of domestic and wild reindeer populations, using a genome-wide bovine genotyping array (BovineHD BeadChip). The wild reindeer samples were obtained from the western Taymyr Peninsula population and from the taiga and tundra populations in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). The domestic populations included the Evenk, Even, and Chukotka-Khargin breeds of Yakutia and the Nenets breed from the Nenets Autonomous district and Murmansk region. The level of genetic diversity was higher for the wild population. Analyzing Neighbor-Net tree, multidimensional scaling, and Structure results, we observed strong genetic population structure and clear differentiation between domestic and wild populations. All regional populations of domestic reindeer were clearly separated, while wild reindeer showed similar genetic backgrounds. Nevertheless, we found contrasting patterns in the genetic structure of the tundra and taiga reindeer, in accordance with their morphological and ecological differences. Thus, our study revealed a clear genetic differentiation between domestic and wild reindeer populations. It provides novel insights into the genetic diversity and structure of reindeer populations, to support resource utilization and aid in the development of genetic improvement strategies and conservation programs for this species.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0207944