Scientists decode DNA of rare Tibetan antelope

Tibetan antelopes graze on grass in Serling Tso national nature reserve in Nagqu city, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Aug 26, 2024. "This achievement not only represents a technical upgrade in the field of Tibetan antelope genetics research but also provides an important genetic foundation for the conservation of plateau biodiversity," said Zhang Tongzuo, a researcher at the institute. A ranger feeds a Tibetan antelope cub in Nyima county of Nagqu city, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, July 13, 2024. The genome can also be used to study the relationships between different Tibetan antelope populations, which is crucial for designing appropriate protected area boundaries and planning cross-regional conservation efforts. From a genetic perspective, the Tibetan antelope genome data fills an important gap in the study of the subfamily Caprinae species, offering valuable resources to understand how highland species cope with extreme environmental pressures.