Detection of 40 bp insertion-deletion (INDEL) in mitochondrial control region among sambar (Rusa unicolor) populations in India.
BACKGROUND
The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region is extensively used in the phylogeography of species. We examined sequence variations in the mtDNA control region of sambar (Rusa unicolor) populations from the South, Central and North India.


RESULTS
Most of the samples collected from the south India exhibited a 40 bp insertion in the mtDNA control region. This insertion was not observed in the North and Central Indian populations.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provided a potential marker for molecular screening and identification of sambar populations in the form of a distinct 40 bp insertion. Some populations in South India did not exhibit this insertion. It indicates that there could be an ecological barrier that might be preventing the expansion of insertion-positive sambar population.
Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehra Dun, 248 001, India. skg@wii.gov.in.
Sandeep Kumar
SK
Gupta
Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehra Dun, 248 001, India. ajitkumar@wii.gov.in.
Ajit
A
Kumar
Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES), CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India. agaur@ccmb.res.in.
Ajay
A
Gaur
Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehra Dun, 248 001, India. hussain@wii.gov.in.
Syed Ainul
SA
Hussain
D000818:Animals; D020029:Base Pairing / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D003670:Deer / Q000235:genetics*; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006239:Haplotypes; D054643:INDEL Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D007194:India; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial