Genetic diversity of Norwegian and Lithuanian red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations

Abstract

During the last centuries, red deer (Cervus elaphus) have survived a drastic decline in population number which has gone as far as extinction in many regions of the continent. Today’s deer population is abundant and widespread, however, affected by re-introduction and keeping isolated animals in enclosures. It is necessary to observe the genetics of these animals and to monitor changes that occur in populations as well as apply the obtained knowledge in creating and restoring the species. This study investigates the levels of genetic diversity of red deer. Muscle and liver samples were obtained from 27 individuals corresponding to 2 red deer populations from Lithuania and Norway. Samples were analyzed by RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using ten primers (ROTH-180-01, ROTH-180-02, ROTH-180-03, ROTH-180-04, ROTH-180-05, ROTH-180-06, ROTH-180-07, ROTH-180-08, ROTH-180-09, ROTH-180-10). PCR products were sorted according to their size by electrophoresis in 1.7% agarose gel. Gel electrophoresis showed that there were 64 polymorphic loci with the fragment size varying from 150 to 3 000. The “TREECON for Windows” programme was used for the estimation of genetic variability. Genetic variability among the red deer separate individuals varied from 0.08 to 0.80. Keywords: red deer (Cervus elaphus), RAPD, PCR, ROTH-180, genetic diversity