RAPD fingerprinting: use in the analysis of mediterranean populations of European fallow deer, <em>Dama dama</em> Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia, Artiodactyla

Abstract

<strong>Abstract</strong> The aim of the present paper is to present a preliminary genetic survey of the fallow deer (<em>Dama dama</em> L., 1758) population of the island of Rhodes (Greece) in order to verify its genetic variability. Italian population specimens were chosen as a control group because, as can be ascertained from literature, they have a very low level of variability. The analysis was carried out on hair samples obtained from each population. It was performed on a PCR modified method called RAPD which is based on the amplification of genomic DNA by using a single oligonucleotide of random sequence as a primer. The results of the analysis of the Rhodian specimens show clearly the presence of polymorphic individuals, absent in the Italian deer sampled.

Keywords

• European fallow deer
• RAPD fingerprinting