Genetic diversity and genetic structure of the Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) populations from Asia

Background The roe deer, Capreolussp., is one of the most widespread meso-mammals of Palearctic distribution, and includes two species, the European roe deer, C. capreolusinhabiting mainly Europe, and the Siberian roe deer, C. pygargus, distributed throughout continental Asia. Although there are a number of genetic studies concerning European roe deer, the Siberian roe deerhas been studied less, and none of these studies use microsatellitemarkers. Natural processes have led to genetic structuringin wild populations. To understand how these factors have affected genetic structureand connectivity of Siberian roe deer, we investigated variability at 12 microsatelliteloci for Siberian roe deerfrom ten localities in Asia.