Taxonomic Status and Genetic Identification of Altai Sable (Martes zibellina averini Bazhanov, 1943)

Abstract

The genetic structure and differentiation level of the sable populations from the Altai mountain region and adjacent geographical regions were studied using nuclear and mitochondrial genome markers. The isolation of the sable from northwestern physicogeographical province of the Altai mountain region was confirmed. Previously, the taxonomic status of the sable from this region was determined according to morphological traits as the Martes zibellina averini Bashanov, 1943 subspecies. The results of the statistical analysis indicate the existence of two population groups in the Altai mountain region: northwestern (isolated by landscape peculiarities of the mountain region) and generated by the populations of the east and northeast of the Altai Mountains. The latter have sustainable migration links with the main area of sable of the Altai–Sayan Ecoregion and Central Siberian Plateau. The allelic diversity center of the studied part of the species area was detected.