Genetic Analysis of Arctic Polar Bear Populations using Historical Samples

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Abstract

This study analyzed genetic data using DNA isolated from museum specimens of polar bears in the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The unique data obtained in this study made it possible to characterize population structure of polar bears in the past and to lay the foundation for further research. Methods of DNA isolation used in archaeogenetics and paleogenetics were applied for historical materials. These methods provided sufficient quantity and quality of DNA suitable for high-throughput sequencing. The analysis of genetic variants made it possible to reveal population structure of spatial and temporal polar bear populations in the Russian Arctic regions and its changes associated with the active economic activities that unfolded in the first third of the twentieth century.

About the authors

A. A Kanapin

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University

St. Petersburg, Russia

A. A Samsonova

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University

St. Petersburg, Russia

A. V Abramov

Institute of Zoology, Russian Academy of Sciences

St. Petersburg, Russia

M. V Sablinenko

Institute of Zoology, Russian Academy of Sciences

St. Petersburg, Russia

V. V Platonov

Institute of Zoology, Russian Academy of Sciences

St. Petersburg, Russia

H. H Mustafin

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

Dolgoprudny, Russia

S. A Chekrygin

St. Petersburg State University

St. Petersburg, Russia

D. Hirata

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University

Email: dhirata59@gmail.com
St. Petersburg, Russia

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