PROF BETTINE VAN VUUREN

Department of ZoologyTel: 011 559 2457

bettinevv@uj.ac.za

Current genetic improvement and DNA

tests in the SA Game Industry today

Taken from Thomas, 1916, A new sable antelope from Angola.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society London pp 298-301

Overview

• Different types of DNA• And what we can gather from these

• Correct markers for the questions asked

• Current state of genetic testing in wildlife

Some information about genetics

Mitochondrial DNA• Maternally inherited• No contribution from father• “Pure” – will not change over time

Cell

Mitochondrial DNA• Maternally inherited• No contribution from father• “Pure” – will not change over time

Nuclear DNA• Bi-parentally inherited• Contribution from father and mother• Will reflect admixture, i.e. changes over time

Some information about genetics

Cell

Implications of the two types of DNA

Nuclear data show contribution from mother and fatherWill show admixture, and probability of belonging to specific groups

Nuclear DNA

X = FM

M FX =

50% : 50%

16% membership to each group

Mitochondrial DNA

Remain pure

Coding and non-coding genes

Coding and non-coding genes

Coding and non-coding genes

Coding DNA - Code for genes that translate into physical characteristics- Coat colour, horn length, ect- Slow mode of change

Coding and non-coding genes

Non-coding DNA - Function unknown- Faster rate of change (no constraint on change)

Coding DNA - Code for genes that translate into physical characteristics- Coat colour, horn length, ect- Slow mode of change

Coding and non-coding genes

Focus today -Non-coding

Future focus -Coding

Different kinds of DNA for different kinds of questions

• The one is not better than the other – it is simply a matter of the question that you ask…..

• Coding DNA (requires one to identify the correct gene[s])• Information regarding physical characteristics• ¿What is the potential of my animal regarding horn length?• ¿What is the potential of my animal regarding % fat in milk?

• Non-coding DNA• Information regarding historical origin and movement in animals• ¿Is genetic variation geographically structured in species?• ¿To what extent do animals move around?• ¿Was my buffalo fathered by Horison or my sable by Charlie?

Current state of genetic testing Types of questions answered today

• ¿Is genetic variation geographically structured in specific species?• Mitochondrial DNA and non-coding nuclear DNA• NOT coding nuclear DNA because it is under evolutionary and environmental

constraints

Current state of genetic testing

• ¿Is genetic variation geographically structured in specific species?• Mitochondrial DNA and non-coding nuclear DNA• NOT coding nuclear DNA because it is under evolutionary and environmental

constraints

• ¿What is the historical origin of my specific animal?• Mitochondrial DNA and non-coding nuclear DNA• NOT coding nuclear DNA because it is under evolutionary and environmental

constraints

Current state of genetic testing

• ¿Is genetic variation geographically structured in specific species?• Mitochondrial DNA and non-coding nuclear DNA• NOT coding nuclear DNA because it is under evolutionary and environmental

constraints• ¿What is the historical origin of my specific animal?

• Mitochondrial DNA and non-coding nuclear DNA• NOT coding nuclear DNA because it is under evolutionary and environmental

constraints

• ¿Forensic identification and paternity?• Non-coding nuclear DNA (microsatellites)• Not mitochondrial DNA because it is not variable enough• NOT coding nuclear DNA because it is under evolutionary and environmental

constraints

Questions answered today

• Geographic origin• Pure or hybrid• Forensic identification• Colour variation – more successful in some species than others

Proposed future trends• Potential of animals regarding physical characteristic• What genes do my animal carry and pass on to next generation• Outcome = “….Informed selection….”

• It has always been accepted that species are geographically structured

• Phenotypic differences were recognized and translated into subspecies descriptions• These often followed geopolitical borders (not correct), geological

features (often correct) or other landscape features• Accurate baseline data

Conservation strategies based on these are, at best, inefficient, and may decrease evolutionary potential of species

Geographic structure

Anthony Bannister

To summarize……

• Different kinds of DNA• Mitochondrial and nuclear• Coding and non-coding

• Important to understand the kinds of questions asked and the kinds of markers used

• Current tests focus on:• Geographic origin• Pure herds• Forensic identification • Paternity• ~ Colour variation

Conservation management

My message to you……

1. Understand the information available to you• This is true for all types of information including genetic, ecology, behavior ect

2. Remain informed• Google• Ask people that work in the field

3. Do not believe everything you read or what people tell you…• Do your own homework