Naslov
The traces of the historical events in Balkan chamois genetic diversity

Autori
Rezić, Andrea ; Iacolina, Laura ; Bužan, Elena ; Safner, Toni ; Bego, Ferdinand ; Gačić, Dragan ; Maletić, Vladimir ; Markov, Georgi ; Milošević, Dragana ; Papaioannou, Haritakis ; Šprem, Nikica

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Abstract Book / - , 2022, 36-37

Skup
8th World Conference on Mountain Ungulates

Mjesto i datum
Cogne, Italija, 27.09.2022. - 30.09.2022

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
conservation, genetic diversity, microsatellite, Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica, translocation

Sažetak
The Balkan chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) distribution goes from Croatia in the north to Greece in the south and Bulgaria in the east. The distribution of the subspecies and population density have been shaped by the natural and anthropological fragmentation of suitable habitats, the resulting restrictions on gene flow between different populations and human management. In Croatia, the Balkan chamois populations are both extant (Dinara Mountain), or (re)introduced (Velebit and Biokovo Mountains). Poaching, unsustainable hunting and the introduction of Alpine chamois are considered the main threats to the survival of Balkan chamois in the whole area of distribution, but conservation and management status varies from country to country and is subject to different national legislations. We combined 16 microsatellite loci and a partial mitochondrial control region to investigate the genetic structure and connectivity of Balkan chamois throughout its distribution range and to assess the accuracy of existing historical data on the origin of the Biokovo population 56 years after its reintroduction. We successfully genotyped 141 individuals from eight countries covering almost the entire distribution range (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria) and sequenced the partial control region in 44 individuals. Bayesian analysis revealed 3 genetic clusters throughout the distribution range and assigned individuals from Serbia and Bulgaria to two separate clusters, while all other individuals belonged to the same cluster. Thirty new haplotypes were obtained from partial mitochondrial DNA sequences, with private haplotypes in all analysed populations and two haplotypes shared among populations, indicating the possibility of past translocations. Additional analysis of past reintroduction in the genetic diversity of Balkan chamois on Biokovo using STRUCTURE and GENELAND algorithms showed clear separation of the reintroduced Biokovo population from the Prenj and considerable genetic similarity with the Čvrsnica-Čabulja populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This suggests that the current genetic composition of the Biokovo population is not exclusively derived from the Prenj population, as suggested by the available literature, but also from other source populations. The genetic composition of the Balkan chamois subspecies presented here provides the necessary starting point for the development of conservation strategies required for its sustainable management and conservation, and identifies the potential source populations for future (re)introduction plans.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija), Interdisciplinarne biotehničke znanosti

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