Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (10): 4973-4987.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2025.10.018

• Animal Genetics and Breeding • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genetic Diversity and Structure Analysis of the Equus hemionus hemionus in Kalamaili

LI Yaxuan1(), SHAO Changliang2, GAO Haoran1, WU Jinshan1, XU Mengqi1, WANG Yipeng1, LIU Haojun1, SU Jingyu1, CHEN Junhua1, LI Mengxin1, MA Yingjie1,*(), SHAN Wenjuan1,*()   

  1. 1. Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China
    2. Management Center, Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Urumqi 830000, China
  • Received:2025-03-11 Online:2025-10-23 Published:2025-11-01
  • Contact: MA Yingjie, SHAN Wenjuan E-mail:107552201006@stu.xju.edu.cn;mayingjie@xju.edu.cn;swj@xju.edu.cn

Abstract:

The study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the genetic diversity and genetic structure of the E. h. hemionus in Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Wildlife Nature Reserve in Xinjiang (hereinafter referred to as "Kalamaili") and provide molecular genetic evidence for their conservation and management. This study employed non-invasive sampling methods, PCR amplification and sequencing techniques to analyze 161 freshly collected fecal samples with successfully extracted genomic DNA. Individual identification, genetic diversity indices, and genetic structure were evaluated. The results revealed that, based on 10 microsatellite loci, 159 genetically distinct individuals were identified, harboring 123 alleles in total. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.634, observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.533, expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.658, and the inbreeding coefficient (Fis) was 0.140 (P < 0.01). For mitochondrial markers, haplotype diversities (Hd) of CYTB, D-LOOP, and the concatenated gene (CYTB+D-LOOP) were 0.63, 0.82, and 0.84, respectively. The nucleotide diversities (Pi) were 0.005 24, 0.020 63, and 0.012 54, respectively. The genetic diversity of the E. h. hemionus population in Kalamaili was lower than that of population in Mongolia but higher than those in Iran, Indian, and Turkmenistan population, indicating an overall moderate-to-high level of genetic diversity. Genetic structure and phylogenetic analysis revealed that when K=2, the Kalamaili population had the optimal genetic structure division. Mitochondrial phylogenetic and haplotype network distribution analyses showed that the two major clades (Clade Ⅰ and Clade Ⅱ) within the Kalamaili population were closely related to the population in Mongolia, sharing haplotypes Hap 21, Hap 23 and Hap 24. Demographic analysis showed an "L"-shaped distribution of microsatellite allele frequencies, while mitochondrial neutrality tests (Tajima's D and Fu's Fs) yielded non-significant positive values (P>0.05). Mismatch distribution exhibits multimodal pattern, and Bayesian skyline plot indicated a relatively flat trend, collectively suggesting that the Kalamaili E. h. hemionus population has not undergone recent expansion or decline. In conclusion, the Kalamaili E. h. hemionus population exhibits high genetic diversity, with two ancestral lineages present and currently maintains a stable population size. These findings provide a molecular genetic basis for future conservation strategies and support evidence-based management decisions for the sustainable protection of this species.

Key words: microsatellite, mitochondrial, Equus hemionus hemionus, genetic diversity, genetic structure

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