We examined sequence variation in mitochondrial and nuclear genes of seven species of the genus Martes (Mustelidae, Carnivora): Martes americana (American marten), Martes flavigula (yellow-throated marten), Martes foina (beech marten), Martes martes (pine marten), Martes melampus (Japanese marten), Martes pennanti (fisher) and Martes zibellina (sable), focusing on the phylogenetic history of the Hokkaido subspecies of the sable, Martes zibellina brachyura. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene confirmed the view that the Hokkaido sable population has lower genetic diversity. In contrast, network analysis of a nuclear gene related to coat colour, melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r), revealed two different haplogroups for this population: one shared with that of Russian sables and the other specific to this population but with a close relationship with the American and Japanese martens, implying that these endemic haplotypes are composed of uncharacterised ancestral lineages of a past population. We also examined the sequence variation in a neighbouring nuclear gene, transcription factor 25 (Tcf25), located about 5 kb upstream from the Mc1r gene, and found similar trends. The sable genome leaves the impression that Hokkaido hosted ancient marten lineages, with subsequent recent migrations from the continent. The validity of a candidate Mc1r mutation for the entirely yellow coat observed on Hokkaido sables was also discussed.
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