First estimates of genetic diversity for the highly endangered giant sable antelope using a set of 57 microsatellites

Confined to a small region in central Angola, the giant sable antelope (Hippotragus niger variani) experienced a dramatic decline in numbers and is currently one of the most endangered African mammals. In spite of its iconic status, conservation efforts have been hindered by unsustainable hunting and lack of adequate tools to promote its recovery. In this work, we developed a set of 57 microsatellites specific for the giant sable, which revealed depleted levels of genetic diversity and an allele frequency spectrum consistent with a recent evolutionary history characterized by severe population crashes. In contrast, the high number of private alleles exhibited by other H. niger populations from Zimbabwe and Tanzania may suggest the occurrence of reduced levels of gene flow among sable populations. Our microsatellite panel was successfully tested on the roan antelope, Hippotragus equinus, and will prove highly applicable on the characterization of different Hippotragus populations, but in particular for the conservation of the Angolan giant sable antelope.