GENETIC-HETEROGENEITY IN SABLE ANTELOPE (HIPPOTRAGUS-NIGER HARRIS 1838) FROM 4 SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGIONS

Allozyme variability in four populations of sable antelope Hippotragus niger from southern Africa was determined by protein gel electrophore sis. Eighteen protein-coding loci, of which four displayed polymorphis m, were resolved in blood samples obtained from 54 animals. Average he terozygosity ranged from 3.78% in a control group to as low as 1.53% i n a small, isolated population. Within-population diversity constitute d the major part of total gene diversity at 92.27%. Genetic distances confirmed that comparatively little divergence has occurred between th e populations sampled, with a maximum genetic distance value of only 0 .0044. We discuss the influence of early histories on current genetic characteristics in the populations sampled and present some guidelines towards optimal generic management of H. niger.