Gazella bennetti (indian gazelle or chinkara) of Pakistan: genetic profiling and conservation priorities

T. Hussain; F. Manzoor; M. M. Musthafa; F. M. Marikar; M. E. Babar

doi:10.30972/vet.3114612

Authors

T. Hussain University of Pakistán. Department of Molecular Biology. (Lahore)
F. Manzoor University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences. Department of Livestock Production. (Lahore)
M. M. Musthafa Universiti of Malaya. Faculty of Sciencie. Institute of Biological Science. (Kuala Lumpur)
F. M. Marikar General Sir John Kotelawa Defence University (Ratmalana)
M. E. Babar University of Pakistán. Department of Molecular Biology. (Lahore)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30972/vet.3114612

Keywords:

Indian gazelle, Pakistan, phylogeny, endangered specie, wildlife

Abstract

Indian gazelle is endemic to wild northern Punjab, Pakistan, and also an endangered species according to red list categories of International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Better understanding of genetics of immune response of this species can be helpful to design effective conservation strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the molecular genetic diversity on interleukin 2 (IL-2) gene sequences of endangered G. bennetti as a gene encoding a cytokine involved in some vital activities of immune response regulation. The IL-2 gene (492 bp) was amplified and sequenced in DNA samples collected from wild as well as captive indian gazelle, followed by alignment and phylogenetic analysis. The neighbour joining tree constructed from MEGA6 showed that G. bennetti is differ from others and form in a different clade. The analysis of study results showed that indian gazelle is a unique isolated population found in Pakistan which is endemic as well as endangered. Therefore, in-situ and ex-situ conservation techniques for G. bennetti present a good solution to preserve this endangered species from extinction.

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