Camels have been essential to human survival and development across the arid Central Asian steppes, particularly in Kazakhstan, where the breeding of one-humped and two-humped camels is a longstanding tradition supporting the nomadic lifestyle. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of these camels across their distribution range in Kazakhstan. Blood samples from 100 individuals were collected from five locations, Almaty (ALA), Atyrau (ATR), Shymkent (SHK), Kyzylorda (KZL), and Taraz (TRZ), and genotyped using 17 microsatellite markers. All loci were polymorphic, with a mean observed heterozygosity of 0.707 in C. dromedarius and 0.643 in C. bactrianus. The highest expected heterozygosity (He = 0.939) was observed at VOLP67 in C. bactrianus and at VOLP03 in C. dromedarius. Genetic differentiation was low (FST = 0.021), indicating a weak population structure between the two species with substantial gene flow (Nm = 19.972). The hybrid analysis identified 31% hybrids, including F1, F2, and backcrosses, with the highest frequencies in KZL and TRZ, moderate frequencies in ATR, and lowest frequencies in SHK and ALA. These patterns, consistent with STRUCTURE clustering, reflect widespread but regionally variable hybridization. The phylogenetic analysis revealed three clades, separating Bactrian camels (ALA), dromedaries (SHK), and a hybrid group (ATR, KZL, and TRZ). These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic diversity of Kazakhstan’s camels and support effective conservation, breeding strategies, and genotyping applications in camel husbandry.

In this study, we analyzed the genetic characteristics of camel populations of Kazakhstan using ISSR-PCR markers. As a result, fragments of the following sizes were identified using the (AG)9C primer: 200, 320, 370, 430, 580, and 700 bp. Based on the (GA)9C primer, the length of the amplicons was 300, 350, and 430 bp. An analysis of the genetic differences of camels in the populations was carried out using ISSR-PCR markers. As a result, the number of allelic indices of polymorphic loci of the (AG)9С primer and related polymorphic loci in the population of the Shymkent population was equal to 77.78%, the allelic index of polymorphic loci of camels in the Taraz population - 33.3%, Kyzylorda and Atyrau populations - 44,44%. In camels selected for the study, the number of observed alleles (Na) averaged 1.27, the effective number of alleles (Ne) was equal to 1.37, the genetic diversity (h) according to Nei was equal to 0.21 and the Shannon index (I) was equal to 0.30. The average allelic score for polymorphic loci was 50.0% across four populations. Based on our results, the two markers used in the work were informative in assessing the genetic diversity of camel populations.

Erysimum croceum is a rare, endemic, and medicinally valuable plant listed in Kazakhstan’s Red Data Book. Employing modern geobotanical and floristic, soil methods, four natural populations of the rare endemic species Erysimum croceum were identified and comprehensively assessed in the Zailiyskiy Alatau region of the northern Tien Shan. The studied populations are located in distinct ecological settings: one in the Big Almaty gorge, two on the opposite banks of the Small Almaty gorge, and one in the Issyk gorge. Comprehensive field surveys were conducted to characterize their plant communities, population structure, and soil properties. The presence of flowering and fruiting individuals indicates that these populations currently maintain reproductive viability within the protected spruce forest belt at elevations of 1,724-2,597 m a.s.l. However, the absence of juvenile and immature individuals in three of the four populations indicates limited regeneration and classifies them as regressive, which could pose a risk of gradual decline. Comparative soil analyses revealed notable differences: mountain dark forest soils of populations 1 and 2 showed moderate organic matter (up to 12.7%) and favorable nutrient levels, while population 4 demonstrated the highest ecological potential, with humus content up to 32.16% and a fine dusty loam texture supporting high water retention and biodiversity. The population near Issyk gorge is particularly vulnerable to the pressure of tourism. Implement long-term demographic monitoring across all sites, regulate visitor access and protect high-quality microsites (notably near Issyk), and establish ex-situ safeguards through seed banking and botanical-garden cultivation; restoration should target humus-rich, medium-loam reference conditions. This study provides the first integrated eco-phytocoenotic and edaphic assessment across four E. croceum populations in the Northern Tien Shan, quantitatively linking soil heterogeneity to population status and delivering site-specific conservation guidance.