[Diagnostic prospects for using multilocus DNA markers in systematizing wild hooved animals (Artiodactyla)]

The possibility to use three types of molecular genetic DNA markers for studying genomic variations and differentiation in wild ungulates (exemplified by Cervidae) was estimated. DNA markers were revealed via DNA fingerprinting, taxonomic typing, and random amplification of polymorphic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (RAPD PCR). The highest polymorphism of the markers was detected in roes (Capreolus spp.) RAPD PCR appeared to be the most efficient method for diagnosis of families, genera, and species. The degree of genetic similarity between species estimated by RAPD agreed with the generally accepted taxonomy of Cervidae. DNA polymorphism and interspecies differentiation of European and Siberian roe deer (C. capreolus and C. pygargus, respectively) are discussed.