Biochemical polymorphisms in the South African springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis).

An attempt was made to use polymorphic markers in the genetic taxonomy of springbok populations. Three independent free ranging springbok populations could be identified on the basis of albumin and transferrin gene frequencies. Even if most of the enzyme markers appeared to be monomorphic it can be stated that in any comparative study of this kind, cryptic genetic markers are of greater use than other environmentally sensitive taxonomic criteria. From the given data and others mentioned it can be stated that little support exists for the continued application of the subspecific status in the species Antidorcas marsupialis. It is shown that the use of environmentally sensitive parameters in the springbok are both misleading and highly unsatisfactory. Biochemical polymorphism can be utilized better than other parametres but here also there are several limitations. Basically, only the albumin and transferrin types can be used when blood samples are available and only IDH and 6-PGD polymorphisms are of value when liver samples can be utilized for the genetic differentiation.