Genetic variation of the Lithuanian bison (bison bonasus l.) population based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences

Abstract

The European bison (Bison bonasus Linnaeus, 1758) is the largest herbivore in Europe, survived to our days. The species is listed as endangered (EN A2ce, C2a) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 1969-1972, 10 bison reproductors were released in Lithuania from Serpuchov Breeding Center, Moscow Region. It is little known about genetic structure of the Lithuania bison population. The aim of our investigation was to estimate genetic diversity in the European bison using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequences. We conducted the analysis of 30 individuals of the European bisons from Lithuania. Variable sites, nucleotide (π) and haplotype diversity (Hd) values were estimated in the studied B.bonasus population in Lithuania and compared results with other studies. Our data revealed low levels of molecular genetic variation in B.bonasus from Lithuania.