Mitochondrial D-loop based genetic characterization of two Francolin species from a part of Himalayan foothills

Genus Francolinus under the family Phasianideae of order Galliformes are important group of birds and among the largest genera in the class Aves, distributed throughout the world and occupying different habitats. This group has several IUCN red listed species undergoing population fragmentation, decline and habitat loss. So far only two species of genus Francolinus viz., Asian Black francolin (Francolinus francolinus asiae) and the North Indian Grey francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus interpositus) have been reported from Uttarakhand. Here we have characterized genetic-make up of these francolins using mitochondrial DNA marker i.e. D-loop or Control region. The genetic polymorphism pattern of the mitochondrial control region in Black and grey francolin, is described for the North Western Himalayan population in order to get some base line data about genetic diversity, possible population structure and demographic dynamics.