Characteristics of the genetic structure of wild and farm populations of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Belarus

  • Aliaksandra E. Hrebianchuk State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus, 43 Kalvaryjskaja Street, Minsk 220073, Belarus https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1224-3275
  • Nastassia S. Parfionava Scientific and Practical Center of the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus, 25 Filimonava Street, Minsk 220114, Belarus
  • Volha M. Lukashkova State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus, 43 Kalvaryjskaja Street, Minsk 220073, Belarus
  • Iosif S. Tsybovsky BelJurZabespjachjenne, 1b Dziarzhynskaga Avenue, Minsk 220069, Belarus

Abstract

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a hunting species, and is also bred on fur farms for the production of furs. In this work, was evaluated the polymorphism of DNA from the biological material of 412 individuals (265 samples of red morph and 147 samples of silver morph) of the red fox. Based on the study of polymorphism, a panel of 12 STR loci and 2 sex loci was developed, which is applicable for the identification of biological samples of individuals from wild and farm populations of the red fox. Analysis of the genetic structure of the species using this test system showed that two genetic clusters represent the most probable number of populations. No evidence of genetic admixture between farm and wild red foxes was found, analysis of molecular variance between samples revealed significant differentiation values (FST = 0.275; p = 0.000). The level of genetic introgression between the animals grown on fur farms in Belarus and the individuals of local wild population was studied. Research results indicate a low likelihood of genetic introgression between farm and wild populations of the red fox and no threat to the genetic integrity of this species. It was established that 3 loci (vWF.X, Nyct10 and CPH4) in DNA of the red fox were monomorphic with allele sizes different from those of other canids, which indicates the possibility of their use in differentiating animals of the Canidae family and as an internal control of the species of the studied samples. The use of the test system is framed in the form of a method for DNA identifying the red fox, which is successfully used in expert practice in investigating the facts of illegal hunting, animal attacks and other cases in the Republic of Belarus.

Author Biographies

Aliaksandra E. Hrebianchuk, State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus, 43 Kalvaryjskaja Street, Minsk 220073, Belarus

state forensic expert at the department of research and accounting of objects of animal origin and fibrous nature, directorate of genotyposcopic examination, general directorate of special examination, central office

Nastassia S. Parfionava, Scientific and Practical Center of the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus, 25 Filimonava Street, Minsk 220114, Belarus

junior researcher at the laboratory of molecular biology research

Volha M. Lukashkova, State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus, 43 Kalvaryjskaja Street, Minsk 220073, Belarus

state forensic expert at the department of forensic biological and forensic genetic examinations, directorate of laboratory research of material evidence of a biological nature, Minsk Region directorate of the State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus

Iosif S. Tsybovsky, BelJurZabespjachjenne, 1b Dziarzhynskaga Avenue, Minsk 220069, Belarus

PhD (biology); leading specialist at the sector of educational and methodical work, directorate of human resources and educational and methodical work

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Published
2023-12-09
Keywords: red fox, genetic diversity, microsatellites, polymorphism, identification, introgression
Supporting Agencies This work was carried out with the financial support of the State Committee on Science and Technology of the Republic of Belarus (state registration No. 2019195). The authors express their gratitude to the employees of the republican state-public association «Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen» and employees оf animal farms of the Republic of Belarus for their assistance in forming a collection of biological samples.
How to Cite
Hrebianchuk, A. E., Parfionava, N. S., Lukashkova, V. M., & Tsybovsky, I. S. (2023). Characteristics of the genetic structure of wild and farm populations of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Belarus. Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, 3, 34-46. Retrieved from https://journals.bsu.by/index.php/biology/article/view/5555
Issue
No 3 (2023): Experimental Biology and Biotechnology
Section
Genetics and Molecular Biology

Copyright (c) 2023 Experimental Biology and Biotechnology

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