The structure of cytochrome b gene in fecal samples of conserved Iranian Maral deer (Cervus elaphus maral)

In order to estimate genetic diversity of native Iranian Red deer, the complete sequence of cytochrome b gene (cytb) from three naturally reserved populations of north and northwest of Iran was analyzed. These populations are concerned due to their small population size. 25 fresh fecal samples were collected from these populations during 2015. Results indicated that in spite of geographical distances there was no diversity between cytb sequences of these three Iranian maral populations. All three populations were one haplotype. A comparison of the cytb between native Iranian maral and Turkish maral deer showed 7 polymorphic sites with one site of transversion. The nucleotide diversity between these two groups was, 0.003 with 0.02 mean genetic distance that was low and indicated low genetic differences between Iranian maral and Turkish maral deer. High Tajima's D (1.55) indicated natural selection between Iranian and Turkish maral deer populations. The cytb from Iranian maral deer and other red deer subspecies was compared. Genetic distance between these populations was 0.037±0.004. The nucleotide diversity was 0.03517 within all 46 sequences and there were 135 polymorphic sites. Tajima's D was 0.322 and non-significant, that indicated there was a genetic mutation in these populations. Results of haplotype network showed that Iranian native maral deer is classified in European red deer and was in the same cluster with Turkish maral deer. According to the low genetic diversity of reserved maral populations, it is necessary to make suitable conversational management decisions to conserve this species and for second, to increase the effective size of these populations.