# Y‐Chromosome Genetic Characterization Supports the Establishment of Calving Centered Protected Areas for Tibetan Antelope Conservation

## TL;DR

This study uses Y-chromosome data to suggest that protecting calving areas could better conserve Tibetan antelope populations by promoting genetic diversity and natural connections.

## Contribution

The study provides novel insights into Tibetan antelope Y-chromosome diversity and proposes a new conservation strategy based on calving-centered protected areas.

## Key findings

- High nucleotide and haplotype diversity were observed in Tibetan antelope Y-chromosome sequences.
- Three distinct genetic populations were identified, with no clear geographic correspondence.
- Population convergence is inferred to maintain genetic diversity despite historical hunting pressures.

## Abstract

Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), the flagship species of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, is renowned for its hardiness and resistance to low oxygen. Most of the previous studies focused on mitochondria and autosomes, with fewer studies related to the Y‐chromosome. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the Y‐chromosome genetic diversity, population structure, and historical dynamics of Tibetan antelope populations using 26 Y‐SNP loci and 5 Y‐SSR polymorphic loci. Our results revealed a nucleotide diversity of 0.00092 ± 0.00002 and a haplotype diversity of 0.843 ± 0.029 based on 26 Y‐SNPs from 14 sequences, with a total DNA sequence length of 10,675 bp. Genotyping of 123 Tibetan antelope male samples with 5 Y‐SSR loci indicated a mean observed number of alleles of 6.600, an effective number of alleles of 4.071, Shannon's Information index of 1.215, Nei's gene diversity of 0.556, and a PIC (Polymorphism Information Content) of 0.522. The population structure analysis classified all samples into three genetic populations, showing significant genetic differentiation that dates back approximately 170,000 years. However, no corresponding relationship was found between genetic populations and their geographical distribution, suggesting population convergence among Tibetan antelope populations. We inferred that population convergence facilitated genetic mixing, so that the population was able to maintain a relatively high genetic diversity after experiencing a severe hunting crisis. Given these findings, we highlight that the current model of protected areas, which are divided into administrative areas, while offering some protection, may not be optimal for the long‐term conservation of Tibetan antelope populations. Therefore, we propose to establish a system of protected areas centered around protecting calving regions, ensuring that key breeding habitats are effectively safeguarded, while simultaneously fostering natural connections and gene flow among populations, thereby providing a safer, more suitable, and coherent living environment for the Tibetan antelope.

This study analyzed the genetic diversity, population structure, and historical dynamics of the Y chromosome of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), and found that its nucleotide diversity and haplotype diversity were high, and that the population was divided into three genetic populations, but there was no correspondence between the genetic groups and the geographic distribution, and the phenomenon of convergence of the populations was presumed to exist. For the conservation of the Tibetan antelope, this study suggests the establishment of a protected area system centered on the protection of lambing areas, which will promote natural linkages and gene flow among populations, and provide a safer, more suitable, and more coherent living environment for the Tibetan antelope.