Microsatellite data for Camelus ferus, Camelus bactrianus and hybrid individuals
Data files
May 21, 2026 version files 37.77 KB
-
Microsat_Data_Cferus.csv
35.53 KB
-
README.md
2.24 KB
Abstract
The endangered Wild Camel (Camelus ferus Mongolian: хавтгай, khavtgai; Chinese: 野骆驼, ye luo tuo) is the only extant wild species of the Camelini tribe. Surviving only in remote areas of the Gobi deserts of Mongolia and China, this species is threatened with extinction through climate change, associated habitat disruptions, and small population impacts. The Wild Camel can hybridize with the domestic Bactrian Camel (Camelus bactrianus), and although this introgression has been considered a threat to species survival, the extent to which it has occurred is unknown. DNA was extracted from 257 individuals, from predominantly non-invasive samples, collected across the in situ and ex situ Wild Camel populations in Mongolia. Genotyping with nuclear markers combined with mitochondrial DNA sequencing was used to gain a greater understanding of the extent and source of introgression and levels of genetic diversity in these populations. Results show evidence of nuclear, mitochondrial, and historic introgression of Bactrian Camel genes in the Wild Camel population in situ, and in some Wild Camel individuals within the ex situ herd. Nuclear introgression was detected between 10% and 22% of the in situ population in Mongolia. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analysis have allowed for the sources of introgression to be understood, with paternal introgression being the major source in both in situ and ex situ populations. Results have also shown reduced heterozygosity and elevated inbreeding in the in situ population and reveal similar characteristics in the ex situ herd. Although hybridization is often considered a threat, it may also be an opportunity for species' population viability, and this dilemma creates challenges in conservation management. Whilst the global conservation community currently adopts largely arbitrary thresholds for what is an acceptable level of introgression, a detailed genetic perspective is crucial in understanding hybridization and its effect on conservation.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.d51c5b0j9
Description of the data and file structure
Microsatellite genotype data of Wild Camel individuals:
The genotyping data were produced using a set of microsatellite markers as per the publication (https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2009.01993.x). A set of sixteen published microsatellite loci was used for the final genotyping, after testing of a larger set of markers. The final set of sixteen microsatellite loci was chosen based on producing clean PCR products in Camelus ferus and C. bactrianus when analysed on agarose gel in initial captive-breds, and specific, easily scorable ABI chromatograph peak profiles during the genotyping (using an ABI 3730 DNA Analyzer).
The sampled individuals are from the captive-bred population of wild camels, DNA samples from faecal/hair collected from across the Great Gobi A Special Protected Area in Mongolia, faecal samples from known domestic C. bactrianus in herder-inhabited areas surrounding the GGASPA, and DNA extractions from hair and tissue samples previously collected from known C. bactrianus, C. ferus, and hybrid Mongolian and Chinese camels.
Description of the data and file structure
File: Microsat_Data_Cferus.csv
Description:
Variables
- ID: Sample ID
- pop: Population
- KS01: Marker
- KS02: Marker
- KS03: Marker
- KS04: Marker
- KS05: Marker
- KS06: Marker
- KS07: Marker
- KS08: Marker
- KS09: Marker
- YWLL36: Marker
- CVRL07: Marker
- LCA65: Marker
- VOLP08: Marker
- VOLP10: Marker
- VOLP32: Marker
- VOLP59: Marker
The data are arranged in a two-column format, with two columns for each microsatellite marker. Each row corresponds to a sampled wild camel or Bactrian camel individual. Cells containing ‘0’ indicate no genotype was scorable. The alleles refer to the fragment sizes of the amplified DNA fragments.
This data comprises genetically different individuals based on analyses. For additional location information on these and all other samples, please contact the first author, A. M Jemmett.
