GENETIC-STUDY OF SAND GAZELLES (GAZELLA-SUBGUTTUROSA-MARICA) FROM SAUDI-ARABIA

Presented the karyotype and electrophoretic variability at 20 loci of captive sand gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa marica) from Saudi Arabia. The most commonly encountered diploid numbers were 33 chromosomes for the males and 32 for the females, due to an X-to-autosome translocation commonly reported in the tribe Antilopini. Nevertheless, 4 females displayed diploid numbers of 31 chromosomes caused by a centric Robertsonian fusion in an heterozygous form. This probably results from previous hybridization with the subspecies G. s. subgutturosa. Percentage of polymorphic loci and mean heterozygosity were 15% and 0.017, respectively. This latter quite low value, as well as the chromosomal polymorphism observed, may be due to previous lack of genetic management when this captive herd was founded. Nevertheless, the fact that some genetic variability remains in this endangered subspecies is encouraging in the perspective of its reintroduction in the wild, providing that the distribution of the chromosomal fusion and its possible consequences on reproduction and survival are checked.