Conservation genetics of endangered populations of pampas deer at the southern edge of its distribution

RAIMONDI VANINA; PAUTASSO ANDRÉS; BEADE MARIO; MERINO MARIANO; LI PUMA CECILIA; MARUYAMA-MORI G; MIROL PATRICIA

Glasgow

Congreso; 3rd European Congress on Conservation Biology; 2012

3rd European Congress of Conservation Biology

Ozotoceros bezoarticus is one of the most endangered species of deer in Argentina. Although it was abundant in the past, its distribution has withdrawn more than 90% of the original area, due mainly to the anthropic disturbance of its habitat. Two subspecies have been described based on morphology, O. b. leucogaster and O. b. celer, constituting four isolated populations of low size. At present the species is categorized as Threatened in Argentina. We investigated genetic variability and structure in order to design conservation strategies. Using invasive and non invasive samples, we isolated ten microsatellite loci, designed specific primers to amplify the control region of the mtDNA and set up a protocol for molecular sexing. A preliminary analysis of the genotypes of both subspecies showed between 3 and 12 alleles per locus with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.326 to 0.557. The combined analysis of the control region and cytochrome b sequences revealed no shared haplotypes between subspecies, lower genetic diversity in O.b. celer and significant differences among both groups, with no detectable gene flow between them. A phylogenetic analysis indicated a monophyletic clade only for O.b. celer. Accordingly, we postulate that both subspecies should be considered independent management units.