Mitochondrial Genetic Diversity of Saiga tatarica tatarica (Saiga antelop) in Kazakhstan

The Saiga antelpe (Saiga tatarica; Bovidae, Mammalis) has two subspecies; Saiga tatarica tatarica that distributed in the dry-steppe and semi-desert regions in three populations in Kazakhstan and one population in Russia, and the other is Saiga tatarica mongolia in Monger that has evolved one of the most extraordinary nose among mammals. Recently near half of the global population of the critically endangered Saiga tatarica was dead in a mass die-off in Kazakhstan. It seems likely that some diseases, pathogens, low genetic diversity or environmental factors are part of the story, however, the real cause of Saiga death has not solved completely. Therefore, a complete mitochondrial D-loop sequence was used to estimate the genetic diversity in Saiga. Fifteen samples [West (n=7) and South (n=8) Kazakhstan] were collected from two populations of Saiga. A 944 bp of mitochondrial complete D-loop was sequenced in 15 Kazakhstan Saiga. The sequence alignment indicated 108 variable sites and 14 haplotype. Moreover, mitochondrial D-loop lineages were observed between the two populations including the reported sequence of Saiga. The Saiga with the two populations was mixed in three lineages. In conclusions, the results of the present study showed that Kazakhstan Saiga had high genetic diversity based on mitochondrial D-loop analysis compared with previous studies conducted in China and other regions. Because Saiga is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species of the highest categories (Critically Endangered) so this study using the precious genetic stocks to conserve Saiga species is very important.