Assessment of population structure and genetic diversity of wild and captive populations of Ammotragus lervia provide insights for conservation management

Abstract The aoudad ( Ammotragus lervia ) is a Vulnerable bovid endemic of North Africa. Although legally protected in almost every country its native distribution, the continues to be hunted for meat and trophy both Africa countries where it has been introduced. species was subject past translocations planned irrespectively genetic diversity local adaptations source receiving populations, no management or conservation units have ever designed. We aim provide here important insights on taxonomy subspecies most wild captive populations. collected 127 invasive non-invasive samples from five six recognized date. could successfully retrieve data 74 samples. Of those, 36 provided nuclear (11 microsatellites) mitochondrial Cyt-b data, 31 just data. implement Bayesian approaches infer population structure phylogenetic relationships between different populations/subspecies backtrack maternal lineages introduced individuals European Our results support presence four genetically corresponding three distinct plus fourth group restricted Egypt identified by markers. also evidence affiliation some populations with respect ones. instead variation within all low. This might consequence small effective size and/or high inbreeding degree, probably related hunting, decline habitat availability quality (i.e. overgrazing, frequent drought), degree. information conservation, including reintroductions reinforcement actions exchange among stocks.