Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity of the Vietnamese sika deer (Cervus nippon pseudaxis).

J Hered. 2004 Jan-Feb; 95(1):11-8.

Zusammenfassung:

The Vietnamese sika deer (Cervus nippon pseudaxis) is an endangered subspecies of economic and traditional value in Vietnam. Most living individuals are held in traditional farms in central Vietnam, others being found in zoos around the world. Here we study the neutral genetic diversity and population structure of this subspecies using nine microsatellite loci in order to evaluate the consequences of the limited number of individuals from which this population was initiated and of the breeding practices (i.e., possible inbreeding). Two hundred individuals were sampled from several villages. Our data show both evidence for limited local inbreeding and isolation by distance with a mean F(ST) value of 0.02 between villages. This suggests that exchange of animals occurs at a local scale, at a rate such that highly inbred mating is avoided. However, the genetic diversity, with an expected heterozygosity (H(e)) of 0.60 and mean number of alleles (k) of 5.7, was not significantly larger than that estimated from zoo populations of much smaller census size (17 animals sampled; H(e) = 0.65, k = 4.11). Our results also suggest that the Vietnamese population might have experienced a slight bottleneck. However, this population is sufficiently variable to constitute a source of individuals for reintroduction in the wild in Vietnam.

thevenon-biblio

Genetic diversity analysis of captive populations : the Vietnamese sika deer (Cervus nippon pseudaxis) in zoological parks.

Zoo Biology 22:  465-475.

Zusammenfassung:

The Vietnamese sika deer (Cervus nippon pseudaxis) is an endangered subspecies; it has disappeared in the wild, but is being bred in zoological parks. We studied the neutral genetic diversity and population structure of herds kept in different European zoos, using nine microsatellite loci. The goal was to evaluate the consequences of founding effects and breeding practices on the level and structure of genetic variability. The level of genetic diversity within the European zoos is not lower than that of the populations kept in Vietnamese farms. Strong differences among zoological parks and between the European group and the Vietnamese population were detected. This is probably due to founding effects, genetic drift, and possibly hybridization in both Europe and Vietnam. We expected to find a much lower level of genetic diversity in Europe. The current overall level of genetic diversity is probably due to the recent introduction of Cuc Phuong individuals, and to important differences among the populations of different zoological parks, which increase the total genetic variability. Although the current level of genetic variability is not particularly low, future levels are probably threatened by the current herd sizes and structure. Based on these results, management guidelines are proposed.

thevenon-biblio

Elaphodus cephalophus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae).

Mammalian Species Volume 45, (904) :80-91. 2013
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1644/904.1

Abstract:

Elaphodus cephalophus Milne-Edwards, 1872 (tufted deer) is usually considered polytypic with 3 or 4 recognized subspecies, depending on the source. It is a small dark chocolate-brown deer typified by a tuft of hair on its crown, sharp upper canines that protrude downward from under the upper lip, and rudimentary antlers on males; it is similar to muntjacs, to which it is closely related. E. cephalophus occurs in humid, montane forests at elevations of 300–4,750 m in southwestern through southeastern China and perhaps northwestern Myanmar (historical records). Vulnerable to poaching in remote areas and relatively uncommon in zoos, it is considered vulnerable as a Class II species in China and listed as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

leslie-biblio

Die Spiesshirsche und Pudus - Die Gattungen Mazama und Pudu.

Die Neue Brehm-Bücherei 581. 84 Seiten, 44 Abbildungen. A. Ziemsen-Verlag, Wittenberg Lutherstadt. ISBN 978-3-7403-0046-3.

Buchbesprechung:

Der Autor, der sich mit Pudu pudu im Zoopark Erfurt beschäftigt hat, schildert im vorliegenden Bändchen die südamerikanischen Zwerghirsche vor allem aufgrund der spälichen Literatur seit der Entdeckungsgeschichte. Nach einer kurzen allgemeinen Charakteristik behandelt er die acht Arten jeweils in der Folge: Nomenklatur und Trivialnamen, Merkmale, Verbreitung und Habitat, Lebensweise, Parasiten und Bejagung. Das Buch Schließt mit Angaben über die Bedeutung für den Menschen, die Haltung und den gesetzlichen Schutz. Die Abbildungen sind ganz überwiegend Schwarzweißfotos von Habitus, Schädeln und Lebensraum. Außerdem findet man grobe Verbreitungskarten, in die auch die Unterarten eingetragen sind. Wenn noch kein sehr geschlossenes Bild entsteht, beruht das auf dem eher mageren Wissenstand. Die vorhandene Literatur Ist im Wesentlichen verarbeitet. So findet man einige Angaben zum Geweihzyklus, der oft nicht mit der Jahresperiodik übereinstimmt und auch von der Fortpflanzung ziemlich unabhängig zu sein scheint. Die Beschreibung des NF-Wertes als „Anzahl der großen Chromosomenenden" ist verwirrend. Im Allgemeinen ist der Text aber verständlich und ermöglicht eine rasche Orientierung.

J. Niethammer, Bonn

czernay-biblio

Status of Tibet red deer.

ORYX 30 (4): 269-274. ISSN 0030-6053

Abstract:

Reports of the Tibet red deer, a subspecies of Cervus elaphus, have been so few in recent years that there were fears that the animal was extinct. A survey in a mountainous region of south-east Tibet in October 1995 found evidence that a few deer survive in one small area and possibly two others in high-altitude valleys of the tributaries of the Subansiri River. The most exciting finding of the survey, however, was an estimated 200-strong population of this deer in high rolling hills near the village of Zhenqi, north of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. This is the only known viable population of the deer and, although some hunting occurs, including by professional poachers from outside Tibet, the fact that it survives is an indication of the tolerance of the local people. The Tibet forest Bureau has agreed to fund guards and to establish a reserve for the deer in co-operation with local people. 

schaller-biblio

Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 31 (2004) 1064–1083.

Volltext

Abstract

In order to understand the origin, phylogeny, and phylogeography of the species Cervus elaphus, we examined the DNA sequence variation of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 51 populations of deer from the entire distribution area of Cervinae with an emphasis on Europe and Asia. Several methods, including maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and nested clade analysis, revealed that red deer originated from the area between Kyrgyzstan and Northern India. We found two distinct groups of red deer: a western group consisting of four subgroups and an eastern group consisting of three subgroups. Our mtDNA data do not support the traditional classification of red deer as only one species nor its division into numerous subspecies. The discrepancies between the geographical pattern of differentiation based on mtDNA cytochrome b and the existing specific and subspecific taxonomy based on morphology are discussed.

ludt-biblio

The genus Cervus in eastern Eurasia.

European Journal of Wildlife Research (Impact Factor: 1.36). 02/2006; 52(1):14-22.
DOI: 10.1007/s10344-005-0011-5

Abstract:

In 2004, Christian Pitra and co-workers published the first molecular phylogeny of Old World deer which advanced our understanding of the Cervinae immeasurably by demonstrating the non-monophyletic status of the red deer/wapiti roup, the chital/hog deer group and the swamp deer/Eld's deer group. Therefore, many conspicuous external features—antler complexity, mane and rump-patch development—turned out to be related not to phylogeny as much as to climatic-related lifestyle factors. At a lower level, molecular genetics has reinforced some conclusions drawn on the basis of morphology or behaviour. Striking examples are the divisions between mainland and Japanese sika and between northern and southern forms of Japanese sika. In this paper, I will look at the species living in what Pitra et al. (Evolution and phylogeny of old world deer. Mol Phylogenet Evol 33:880–895, 2004) identified as the heartland of cervine evolution: eastern Eurasia. I will consider the two species groups in this region that seem to crystallize both the problems of cervine classification and the ways in which the new sources of evidence have opened up new avenues of inquiry.

groves-biblio

Evolution and phylogeny of old world deer.

Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 2004 Dec;33(3):880-95.

Abstract:

The phylogenetic pattern and timing of the radiation of Old World deer was determined based on the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from 33 Cervinae taxa. Using rooted and unrooted phylogenies derived from distinct theoretical approaches, strong support was achieved for monophyly of the Old World deer with muntjacs as sister group as well as for the divergence of at least three distinct genera: Rucervus, Dama, and Cervus. The latter clade comprises what have previously been regarded as the genera or subgenera Panolia, Rusa, Cervus, Sika, and probably Przewalskium. Our data also consistently confirmed paraphyly of nominate C. elaphus and did not support the monophyly of Axis. We used these molecular phylogenies to assess the homoplastic evolution of morphological, geographical, ecological, and selected behavioural character state differences within the Cervinae. Reliable fossil calibrations, large molecular data sets, and improved dating methods are shaping a molecular time scale for the evolutionary radiation of Old World deer that occurred at the Miocene/Pliocene transition and is largely compatible with existing palaeontological evidence. Using node ages estimated from sequence data, we estimated an average per-lineage diversification rate of 0.51+/-0.1 species per million years (my) over roughly the last 6 mya.

Elk Distribution in Mexico: A Critical Review.

Wildlife Society Bulletin 31, No. 4 (Winter, 2003), pp. 1272-1276
Published by: Wiley
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3784478

Abstract:

Several authors have reported that elk (Cervus elaphus) were historically distributed in Mexico. The reported distribution was based upon an old report of an observation in 1892, on bones excavated from one archaeological site, and on the interpretation of old Spanish documents. We critically evaluated evidence for elk having been historically distributed in Mexico. Translations of old documents and confusion in the use of common names have played an important role in the interpretation that elk historically occurred in Mexico. The elk remains excavated in an archaeological cave site in Cuatrocienegas was the only specimen ever reported in Mexico. An examination of these purported elk remains indicated that they were misidentified, leaving no physical evidence for the presence of elk in Mexico. Historical biogeography suggested that by the late Holocene the southernmost elk distribution was in Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Texas. Available information indicated that elk have never occurred naturally in Mexico.

Elk Distribution in Mexico: A Critical Review. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261826126_Elk_Distribution_in_Mexico_A_Critical_Review [accessed Apr 17 2018].