Gene introgression between Gazella subgutturosa and G. marica: limitations of maternal inheritance analysis for species identification with conservation purposes

Abstract

It has recently been suggested that goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa and Gazella marica) have paraphyletic maternal origin, and that the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene fragment can be used for species identification prior to reintroduction of the gazelles. Although there is a large geographic area where the gazelles have intermediate morphology, previous researchers have not inferred any signs of mitochondrial haplotype introgression, and it is thought that the introgression, if it exists, is malebiased. We studied mitochondrial haplotypes of morphologically typical G. subgutturosa from two geographic locations. Goitered gazelles from eastern Turkey, morphologically identical to G. subgutturosa, had haplotypes identical to G. marica. This finding confirms ongoing maternal gene introgression from G. marica to G. subgutturosa. Our suggestion is that there is a natural gene flow between these two nominal species, and morphological characters together with recombinant genetic markers rather than mitochondrial DNA should be used to differentiate among individuals from areas close to the contact zone.

Repeated hybridization of two closely related gazelle species (Gazella bennettii and Gazella subgutturosa) in central Iran

“…Introgression of mitochondrial DNA among closely related gazelles has been demonstrated for G. marica and G. subgutturosa (Murtskhvaladze et al., 2012). It could be a more wide‐spread phenomenon in other species of this relatively young genus (2.5 Mya — Bibi, 2013).…”

“…In ungulate species, several studies described anthropogenically caused hybridization between native red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) and introduced Japanese sika deer ( Cervus nippon ) in the UK (Abernethy, 1994; Goodman, Barton, Swanson, Abernethy, & Pemberton, 1999; McDevitt et al., 2009; Pérez‐Espona, Pemberton, & Putman, 2009; Senn & Pemberton, 2009), and hybridization was also reported between black wildebeest ( Connochaetes gnou ) and blue wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus ) in forced sympatry (Ackermann, Brink, Vrahimis, & De Klerk, 2010; Grobler et al., 2005, 2011), as well as between giant sable antelope ( Hippotragus niger variani ) and roan antelope ( Hippotragus equinus ) in southern Africa in an area where both species were extremely rare (Vaz Pinto et al., 2016). In the genus Gazella , the only record of hybridization until now is the introgression of mitochondrial DNA between G. marica and G. subgutturosa in eastern Turkey (Murtskhvaladze, Gurielidze, Kopaliani, & Tarkhnishvili, 2012). Morphologically, intermediate individuals, probably natural hybrids between the two nominal forms (Groves, 1997; Groves & Harrison, 1967; Mallon & Kingswood, 2001), occur in a vast area between the Tigris/Euphrates valley and the Zagros Mountains, but the only molecular study that included samples from this region (five captive individuals from the Rutba region in Iraq — Wacher et al., 2010) only detected mitochondrial sequences of G. subgutturosa .…”

Morphological diversity and ecological niche divergence in goitered and sand gazelles

“…Nevertheless, the Khark Island population showed a strong connection with the closest population on the mainland both in geographic distance and size, that is, the presumably extinct Borazjan gazelle population named G. karamii, a taxon that its affiliation to G. marica has previously been verified (Bärmann et al, 2013). Male-biased gene introgression between these two species (Murtskhvaladze, Gurielidze, Kopaliani, & Tarkhnishvili, 2012) The skull originated from Borazjan district was initially described by Groves (1993) as a subspecies of Gazella bennettii, to which it bears little resemblance. It was transferred by Groves and Grubb (2011) (1912), and so brighter than in the gazelle in south-western Iran.…”

Epipalaeolithic and Neolithic gazelle hunting in the Badia of north-east Jordan. Reconstruction of seasonal movements of herds by stable isotope and dental microwear analyses

“…While it is locally extinct in the Jordanian Badia, the current distribution of G. subgutturosa ranges from northern Central Asia to southern Arabia, although recent genetic evidence finds two distinct clades, with Arabian/Middle Eastern populations distinct from Central Asian populations (Wacher et al 2011). There is a proposal to rename the former as a separate species, Gazella marica (see also Murtskhvaladze et al 2012). In large parts of northern Central Asia, G. subgutturosa makes longdistance seasonal migrations, leaving pastures in autumn, climbing into low mountains to avoid harsh winters and returning in spring (Derevyagin 1947).…”