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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #153714
Title: GENETIC VARIATION IN CARIBOU AND REINDEER

Author
item CRONIN, M - LGL ALASKA, INC.
item PATTON, J - TEXAS A&M UNIV
item BALMYSHEVA, N - RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENC
item Macneil, Michael

Submitted to: Research Update for Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2002
Publication Date: 1/15/2003
Citation: CRONIN, M.A., PATTON, J.C., BALMYSHEVA, N., MACNEIL, M.D. GENETIC VARIATION IN CARIBOU AND REINDEER. RESEARCH UPDATE FOR FORT KEOGH LIVESTOCK AND RANGE RESEARCH LABORATORY. p. 61-62. 2003.

Interpretive Summary: Caribou and reindeer occur across arctic and sub-arctic North America and Eurasia in wild and domestic populations. In North America, native wild animals are referred to as caribou; and domestic animals, originating from European and Asian stock, are referred to as reindeer. The Central Arctic, Western Arctic, and Porcupine River Alaska caribou herds are not genetically differentiated from each other. Although studies of marked females indicate that the herds are generally segregated on calving ranges, they frequently mix on breeding and winter ranges. The genetic data are consistent with field observations that suggest there is interbreeding of animals from different calving ranges (i.e., herds) and that the herds collectively comprise one population. The situation is different in the southern Yukon Territory, Canada, where caribou herds are segregated on winter ranges and genetically differentiated. Similarly, there are significantly different allele frequencies in Alaska reindeer and caribou. Our data suggest limited gene flow between domestic reindeer and wild caribou herds.

Technical Abstract: Caribou and reindeer occur across arctic and sub-arctic North America and Eurasia in wild and domestic populations. In North America, native wild animals are referred to as caribou; and domestic animals, originating from European and Asian stock, are referred to as reindeer. The Central Arctic, Western Arctic, and Porcupine River Alaska caribou herds are not genetically differentiated from each other. Although studies of marked females indicate that the herds are generally segregated on calving ranges, they frequently mix on breeding and winter ranges. The genetic data are consistent with field observations that suggest there is interbreeding of animals from different calving ranges (i.e., herds) and that the herds collectively comprise one population. The situation is different in the southern Yukon Territory, Canada, where caribou herds are segregated on winter ranges and genetically differentiated. Similarly, there are significantly different allele frequencies in Alaska reindeer and caribou. Our data suggest limited gene flow between domestic reindeer and wild caribou herds.