Ecological genetics of Himalayan snowcock (Tetaogallus himalayensis)

Abstract

The part of mtDNA cytb gene sequences were analyzed in 11 Himalayan snowcock local populations sampled across their distributions to detect the correlations between genetic diversities and environmental factors. The genetic variables including percentages of variable nucleotide sites/length of sequence, mean pairwise differences and nucleotide diversity significantly correlated only to annual average sunshine duration and variation coefficients of annual average sunshine duration. The longer the sunshine duration, the less variation of annual sunshine duration and the lower genetic diversities observed. The shorter sunshine duration and higher annual sunshine duration variation could provide a broader and better habitation to Himalayan snowcock, which lead to the higher genetic diversities. In summary, only sunshine duration was the determinant climatic factor in all populations. © 2012 Springer-Verlag GmbH.