Comparative Genetic Diversity of Landlocked Seals

Genetic diversity of neutral markers (15 microsatellite loci) was assessed for the first time in two landlocked seal species, the Baikal seal Pusa sibirica and Caspian seal P. caspica, and compared with that in the oceanic species ringed seal P. hispida of the same genus. Lower genetic diversity was observed in both of the landlocked seal species, the Baikal seal having the lowest level. A high probability of a historical bottleneck effect was shown for both Baikal and Caspian seals, while signs of a sharp decline in the past were not observed in the ringed seal population. A data analysis with the VarEff package suggested different times to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for each of the three populations. The time established for the Baikal seal was significantly shorter than that of the Caspian seal.