Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in Captive Populations of Formosan Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor swinhoei)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Rusa unicolor swinhoei is an economically important animal in Taiwan, owing to the market demand for its velvet antler. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity and structure of Formosan sambar deer using microsatellites. The observed genetic diversity was low, which is likely attributable to inbreeding and bottleneck effects. Moreover, this study revealed two distinct genetic groups within the captive populations and found no significant population genetic structure among the captive populations in Taiwan. These findings have the potential to improve breeding management and contribute to the mitigation of inbreeding, thereby promoting the productive potential of Formosan sambar deer. ABSTRACT: Formosan sambar deer (Rusa unicolor swinhoei) are of great economic significance in Taiwan, resulting in a substantial increase in deer farming to meet the high demand for velvet antlers. Inbreeding depression and reduced genetic variability can lead to the deterioration of captive populations. In this study, 239 Formosan sambar deer were genotyped using 13 microsatellites to analyze their genetic diversity and population genetic structure. Our results indicate a high-resolution power of these microsatellites in individual discrimination and parentage analysis. However, captive populations exhibit a low level of genetic diversity, likely because of inbreeding and bottleneck effects. Both principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and STRUCTURE analyses revealed two distinct and segregated genetic groups within the captive populations and indicated no clear population genetic structure among the captive populations. Introducing new genetic material from the wild through translocation offers a potential solution for mitigating the impact of inbreeding and enhancing genetic diversity. The comprehensive information obtained from these genetic analyses is crucial for the development of effective breeding strategies aimed at preserving and enhancing Formosan sambar deer populations.