Characterization Of Mitochondrial DNA Control Region Of Captive Sika Deer In Northeast China

The Control Region of Mitochrondrial DNA was used as the genetic marker to analyze the genetic characteristics of different breeds and strains of sika deer in the northeastern China. 56 individuals from 9 captive populations of Xifeng Breed, Shuangyang Breed, Xingkaihu Type and Longtanshan Type were included in this study.It was found that the general nucleotide polymorphism of the 56 sika deer was 0.02138, the general nucleotide divergence was 0.0195 and the average number of nucleotide difference was 8.974. 41 variable sites, 9.33% of all nucleotides, and 20 haplotypes were identified within the fragment of 436 bp. The haplotype polymorphism was 0.859. In the comparison to the GenBank data, the 56 individuals mainly shared hyplotype CN-2 and CN-3. A new haplotype (Xing Kaihu haplotype) and 14 rare haplotypes were identified in the study.The nucleotide divergence and phylogeny tree indicated that Xingkaihu Type had the highest genetic specialty, and the Longtanshan Type had the second high genetic specialty, suggesting that these two types should be managed as separate units. Xifeng Breed had the least divergence and gene flow-in from other breeds and strains, maintaining the genetic characteristic. Therefore Xifeng Breed was deserved special conservation. Considerable haplotypes were found shared between XiFeng Breed and ShuangYang Breed. Dispersal of Shuangyang individuals in the phylogenetic tree indicated that Shuangyang Breed had adopted considerable genes from XiFeng Breed. It suggested that ShuangYang Breed had lost its genetic specialty and urgently needed recovery under some scientific measures.Based on the results above and status of deer farming in northeastern China, I proposed some measures to preserve the genetic specialty of the breeds, strains and type of sika deer: 1. to set up detail and standardized file system to promote the information exchange and genetic management. 2. to maintain the genetic specialty and genetic diversity of breeds, strains and types by combining pedigree file and phyenotypes in the selection of breeders. 3. to set up breeding bases of all breeds, strains and types and reasonable genetic management system for preserving populations possessing typical genetic specialty and high genetic diversity and for providing excellent breeders to deer farms.