Population Genetic Structure in Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) from the Russian Arctic Seas

We analyzed population genetic structure of polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) in the Russian Arctic based on samples collected in 2010–2021. For 93 adult individuals, we report polymorphism of 17 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci and a 610 nucleotide long mtDNA D-loop fragment. High genetic diversity of nuclear DNA and low nucleotide diversity π for mitochondrial DNA was found. All genetic markers proved differentiation between bears of southern Barents Sea and northern Barents and Kara seas. These two groups differed by distribution of the mitochondrial marker (θ st = 0.270) and, to less extent, by nuclear loci ( R st = 0.018).