biostudies-literatureUnknown14(3)Mogakala MRBontebok (<i>Damaliscus pygargus pygargus</i>) and blesbok (<i>D. p. phillipsi</i>) 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 determiEcology and evolutione10962https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10915478biostudies-literatureIdentification of low levels of neutral and functional genetic diversity in South African bontebok (<i>Damaliscus pygargus pygargus</i>).PMC10915478Smith RMMogakala MRDalton DLMavimbela CfalseIdentification of low levels of neutral and functional genetic diversity in South African bontebok (<i>Damaliscus pygargus pygargus</i>).Bontebok (<i>Damaliscus pygargus pygargus</i>) and blesbok (<i>D. p. phillipsi</i>) 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 determi2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2026-07-14T19:56:25.327Z2026-06-23T03:09:48.824ZS-EPMC109154783845032310.1002/ece3.10962