Genetic analysis of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase polymorphism in the genus Cervus

A study of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase in Cervus dama, Cervus elaphus, Cervus nippon and Cervus elaphus x Cervus nippon hybrids has revealed a polymorphism of this enzyme system in Cervus elaphus as well as in the hybrid population. Genetic analysis suggests that this enzyme system is controlled by one gene locus with two codominant alleles. The allele frequencies allow a clear discrimination between the hybrid population and the red deer population, whereas the fallow deer are fixed for the allele which is most common in red deer. The comparison of the genotypic structures with the Hardy-Weinberg structure shows a slight excess of homozygotes in all populations, but the deviation is significant only for the hybrid population as well as one red deer population. Genetic variation within and differentiation between demes is quantified using different measures. Finally, some management implications of these first results are discussed.