Identification of low levels of neutral and functional genetic diversity in South African bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus).

ABSTRACT: Bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) and blesbok (D. p. phillipsi) are classified as separate sub-species. The blesbok has a widespread distribution throughout South Africa and is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Bontebok on the other hand is endemic within the Cape Floristic Region of the Western Cape in South Africa and has been listed as near-threatened species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Bontebok populations experienced a severe bottleneck and were brought back from the brink of extinction in the 1830s. Currently, the subspecies is threatened by hybridisation with blesbok resulting in fertile offspring. To date, molecular investigations using neutral markers have determi

SUBMITTER: Mogakala MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10915478 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature