Evidence for Introgressive Hybridization of Captive Markhor (Capra falconeri) with Domestic Goat: Cautions for Reintroduction |
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Authors: | Sabine E Hammer Harald M Schwammer Franz Suchentrunk |
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Institution: | 1. Clinical Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterin?rplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria 2. Zoo Vienna, Maxingstrasse 13 B, A-1130, Vienna, Austria 3. Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, A-1160, Vienna, Austria
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Abstract: | Markhors (Capra falconeri) are among the most endangered mammal species, and several conservation measures, including ex situ breeding, are implemented
to prevent their extinction. We studied sequence diversity and differentiation of the first hypervariable segment of the mitochondrial
DNA control region among C. f. heptneri and C. f. megaceros kept in four zoos in relationship to lineages of other wild and domestic goats, to assess for the first time the level of
molecular distinctness and variability among those subspecies, and to check for possible introgression by related Capra taxa, such as domestic goats. Levels of differentiation between some Capra falconeri lineages and modern domestic goats were similar to levels between other wild goat species (i.e., Capra
aegagrus, Capra
ibex) and domestic goats. Among pure markhor lineages, paraphyly was observed for C. f. heptneri, suggesting occurrence of shared ancestral polymorphism among markhor subspecies and/or ancient or recent gene exchange between
subspecies. Interestingly, 35.7% of all studied markhors from three zoos are introgressed by the domestic goat. Furthermore,
despite relatively small breeding group sizes, markhors have maintained a relatively high proportion of mtDNA variation within
zoo groups. In any case, the existence of markhors introgressed with domestic goat DNA in zoos should be considered when selecting
markhors for ex situ breeding programs with the aim of building up a stock for later reintroduction into the wild. |
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Keywords: | Capra falconeri Markhor Mitochondrial control region Introgression Conservation genetics |
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