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.
To examine the genetic diversity and population structure of domestic reindeer, using the BovineHD BeadChip, we genotyped reindeer individuals belonging to the Nenets breed of the five main breeding regions, the Even breed of the Republic of Sakha, the Evenk breed of the Krasnoyarsk and Yakutia regions, and the Chukotka breed of the Chukotka region and its within-breed ecotype, namely, the Chukotka–Khargin, which is bred in Yakutia. The Chukotka reindeer was shown to have the lowest genetic diversity in terms of the allelic richness and heterozygosity indicators. The principal component analysis (PCA) results are consistent with the neighbor-net tree topology, dividing the reindeer into groups according to their habitat location and origin of the breed. Admixture analysis indicated a genetic structuring of two groups of Chukotka origin, the Even breed and most of the geographical groups of the Nenets breed, with the exception of the Murmansk reindeer, the gene pool of which was comprised of the Nenets and apparently the native Sami reindeer. The presence of a genetic component of the Nenets breed in some reindeer inhabiting the Krasnoyarsk region was detected. Our results provide a deeper insight into the current intra-breeding reindeer genetic diversity, which is an important requirement for future reindeer herding strategies and for animal adaptation to environmental changes.
A b s t r a c tThe Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is one of the main reindeer herding regions of the Russian Federation. The census population size of domesticated reindeer in the Sakha Republic amounts to more than 156 thousand individuals. Three of the four officially recognized breeds are being bred in Yakutia: the Even, Evenk and Chukotka (Khargin). The analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using DNA microarrays (DNA chips) is the useful tool to assess and preserve the biodiversity of this important agricultural species. In the present work, we have used the Bovine SNP50 BeadChip to determine the genotypes and population-genetic characteristics of three domestic reindeer originated from the territory of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Tissue samples (ear skin samples) from reindeer of the breeds Even (EVN, n = 8), Evenk (EVK, n = 11) and Chukotka (CHU, n = 7) were used as biological material for the study. The PLINK 1.07 software was used to check the quality of genotyping. For data processing, we used the software PLINK 1.07, Admixture 1.3, and R packages diveRsity, VennDiagram with subsequent visualization in the R packages pophelper and ggplot2. According to the results of quality control, we selected 512 polymorphic SNPs for further analysis. Analysis of Venn-diagrams showed that the reindeer of Even and Evenk breeds have a maximal number of unique polymorphisms (14 SNPs). Eleven unique SNPs were detected in the Chukotka breed. The calculation of basic population parameters revealed that individuals of the Chukotka breed are characterized by higher levels of genetic diversity (H o = 0.180±0.011, H e = 0.156±0.008, A r = 1.488±0.022) and a higher excess of heterozygotes (F IS = 0.124), compared to Evenk (H o = 0.161±0.009, H e = 0.153±0.008, A r = 1.487±0.020, and F IS = 0.047) and Even (H o = 0.164±0.010, H e = 0.149±0.008, A r = 1.471±0.021, and F IS = 0.089) breeds. The results of multidimensional scaling and the calculation of pairwise genetic distances (F ST ) showed the greatest closeness of the breeds Even and Evenk. Admixture analysis revealed a high degree of genetic isolation of each of the studied breeds. However, among the domestic reindeer of Chukotka and Evenk breeds we identified individuals with a mixed genetic origin, which is close to Even genetics. The obtained data will be applied in the development of programs for the conservation and sustainable use of this important animal species.
Domestic reindeer are bred across the Russian tundra from the Kola Peninsula to Chukotka and in the mountain-taiga zone. To understand the genetic diversity and population structure of domestic reindeer, 528 individuals were analyzed using 14 microsatellites. The sample included the Nenets breed of the Komi Republic (NEN_K, n = 42), Nenets (NEN_N, n = 148), Yamalo-Nenets (NEN_Y, n = 46), Archangelsk (NEN_A, n = 47), Murmansk (NEN_M, n = 43), Taymyr (NEN_T, n = 52) regions; the Even (EVN, n = 33), the Evenk (EVK, n = 31), the Chukotka (CHUY, n = 33) breeds of Yakutia; the Chukotka breed (CHU, n = 40) of Chukotka Region; the Tuvinian (TUV, n = 32) and Mongolian (MGL, n = 21) populations of the Tuva Republic and Mongolia. Calculations were done in R package “diveRsity,” software SplitsTree 4.14.6., Structure 2.3.4. Possibly due to permanent exchanges with animals among farms of the Nenets region and thus introduction of “foreign” alleles into the herds, a higher level of genetic diversity was found in NEN_N (HE=0.699; AR =6.086). All groups had a significant homozygote excess with the maximal value of FIS in geographically isolated populations MGL (0.326) and TUV (0.229). Neighbor-Net tree showed formation of three main clusters according to breed origin and breeding region: (1) the Nenets reindeer from different regions, (2) three breeds of Yakutia and (3) TUV and MGL populations. CHU branched individually with a distance from others. At K=11 of STRUCTURE, we observed a clear clustering of CHU, MGL, TUV, NEN_T. A middle level of admixture was detected in NEN_A, NEN_Y, NEN_M and NEN_N with NEN_K and CHUY with EVN/EVK, which formed one cluster. Here, we obtained more detailed information on genetic variability of Russian domestic reindeer, which would assist to fill current gaps in knowledge about this essential species for many indigenous peoples of the Far North. The study was funded by the RSF within Project no. 16-16-10068-P.
Reindeer herding is the leading branch of animal husbandry in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO). Currently, reindeer herding is being conducted mainly by traditional methods, which are based on the assessment of the phenotype. For further development of reindeer herding and the increase of its productivity, it is necessary to improve the level of breeding work by using molecular genetic information. The aim of our study was to investigate the phenotypic and genetic features of the reindeer Nenets breed in the conditions of the NAO. To examine morphological features, the measurements of the exterior characteristics (height at withers, chest depth, chest width, chest girth, wrist girth, body length, loin width, head length, body weight) were made at three farms of the NAO: ERV (ERV, n = 28), Indiga (IND, n = 34) and Ilebts (ILB, n = 25). Based on the data obtained, the body built indices were calculated: massiveness, blockiness, bone, chest index, lengthiness and head.
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