Hussain, T., M. M. Musthafa, M. E. Babar, W. A. Khan, Z. Ullah, M. Aqeel, A. Yaqub & F. M. M. T. Marikar, 2018. Analysis of molecular genetic diversity of endangered Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) based on interleukin 2 gene sequences. Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 21, No 2, 141–151.

DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.1076

Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) is endemic to wild northern Punjab, Pakistan and also an endangered species according to red list categories of International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Better understanding of genetics of immune response of this species can be helpful to design effective conservation strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the molecular genetic diversity on interleukin 2 (IL-2) gene sequences of endangered Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) as a gene encoding a cytokine involved in some vital activities of immune response regulation. The IL-2 gene (492 bp) was amplified and sequenced in DNA samples collected from wild as well as captive O. v. punjabiensis, followed by alignment and phylogenetic analysis. The neighbour joining tree constructed from MEGA6 showed that O. v. punjabiensisi was closer to Ovis ammon (Argali) than the Ovis aries (sheep); the phylogenetic tree also depicted O. v. punjabiensis relationships with other mammalian species. The analysis of study results showed that O. v. punjabiensis is a unique isolated population found in Pakistan which is endemic as well as endangered. The species is closely related to Argali and sheep but has differences in the genetic makeup. Therefore, in-situ and ex-situ conservation techniques for Punjab urial present a good solution to preserve this endangered species from extinction.

Key words: endangered species, interleukin 2, Pakistan, phylogeny, Punjab urial, wildlife