Comparative assessment of interindividual variability of the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in Saiga tatarica tatarica
Ulyanov V. Beishova I. Yanin K. Ulyanova T. Ginayatov N. Kovalchuk A. Shamshidin A. Kushaliyev K. Tleulenov Z. Karimov A.
2026Frontiers Media SA
Frontiers in Animal Science
2026#7
Intoduction: Research is dedicated to the study of the genetics of saiga antelope, a species of antelope whose populations have experienced repeated critical declines in the past. Methods: This study employs a combined k-mer based comparative genomics and mitochondrial genome analysis to investigate genetic variation in S.t. tatarica. Results: Whole genome sequencing data were used to assess genomic diversity, revealing significant variation between samples, with 25.55–28.49% of k-mers being sample-specific. Mitochondrial genome sequencing identified 531 variants. These variants were predominantly variants of the ND6, ND2, ND5, and COX1 genes. The results demonstrated that the distribution of genetic variants within the mitochondrial genome of S.t. tatarica is heterogeneous, with certain regions exhibiting high variability, whereas others remain conserved. Discussion: This pattern reflects differing levels of functional significance among genes and provides a foundation for subsequent investigations into adaptive processes and the long-term stability of the species. The data obtained are of great importance for the development of conservation strategies for saiga populations, aimed at maintaining the species’ genetic diversity and adaptive potential. Copyright
k-mer analysis , Kazakhstan , mitochondrial genome , saiga antelope , whole genome sequencing
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Testing Center, Zhangir Khan West-Kazakhstan Agrarian Technical University, Uralsk, Kazakhstan
Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Scientific and Production Center for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan
Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Testing Center
Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Scientific and Production Center for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
Nazarbayev University
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026