Assessment of genetic variation in Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor)

Abstract

This study is focused on the examination of intra and inter-species genetic variation among Indian sambar (R. u. unicolor) populations using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA markers. Sequence variation in a partial fragment of mtDNA control region was examined from the biological samples collected from Western Ghats, Deccan Peninsula, Semi-arid and Gangetic plains. It is also essential to know the phylogenetic variations (if any) among sambar population in India for identification of population(s) for proper conservation management. Therefore, the following objectives were set forth: (a) to examine the intra-species relationship among sambar populations across various biogeographic zones in India, (b) to study the molecular systematic of sambar in order to understand its phylogenetic structure and its relationships with other cervids; and (c) to examine the genetic diversity and gene flow pattern among sambar populations. The key research questions were (a) is there any variation in phylogenic position of sambar across biogeographic zones of India? (b) what is the precise phylogenic position of sambar with respect to other cervids? (c) does the population genetic structure of sambar differ across biogeographic zones of India? and (d) what is the status of gene flow in sambar across biogeographic zones? In this study, one ancient evolutionary significant unit (ESU) of sambar was identified from Western Ghats.