Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed genetic diversity of captive-bred hog deer (Axis porcinus) population in Thailand
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Abstract
Hog deer (Axis porcinus) is an endangered member of the Cervidae family native to South and Southeast Asia. In Thailand, hog deer is nearly extinct in the wild due to unsustainable harvesting and deforestation over the past century. Recent captive breeding program was able to bring the population back to a sustainable level, and a number of hog deer was reintroduced back into the wild. However, due to the small starting number of individuals used at the beginning of the breeding program, there is a risk of genetic bottleneck effect, inbreeding, and loss of genetic diversity. Moreover, two possible subspecies of hog deer exist: Axis porcinus porcinus and Axis porcinus annamiticus. It was unclear which species is the one currently being used for captive breeding effort. The genetic diversity of captive-bred hog deer at nucleotide level was investigated here using the control region of mitochondrial DNA sequences. Overall, 11 haplotypes were identified from 30 individual hog deer at Huaisai Wildlife Breeding Station in Phetchaburi Province, which is one of the original sites of hog deer breeding programs in Thailand. The population still retained some nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity. Tajima’s D test indicated that the population was expanded in the past. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis revealed that all individuals were identified to be members of the Axis porcinus annamiticus, which is currently the prevalent subspecies in Southeast Asia. The results provided a starting point for further genetic analysis for hog deer conservation programs
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