We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Genetic Diversity and Differentiation at Structurally Varying MHC Haplotypes and Microsatellites in Bottlenecked Populations of Endangered Crested Ibis.
- Authors
Lan, Hong; Zhou, Tong; Wan, Qiu-Hong; Fang, Sheng-Guo
- Abstract
Investigating adaptive potential and understanding the relative roles of selection and genetic drift in populations of endangered species are essential in conservation. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes characterized by spectacular polymorphism and fitness association have become valuable adaptive markers. Herein we investigate the variation of all MHC class I and II genes across seven populations of an endangered bird, the crested ibis, of which all current individuals are offspring of only two pairs. We inferred seven multilocus haplotypes from linked alleles in the Core Region and revealed structural variation of the class II region that probably evolved through unequal crossing over. Based on the low polymorphism, structural variation, strong linkage, and extensive shared alleles, we applied the MHC haplotypes in population analysis. The genetic variation and population structure at MHC haplotypes are generally concordant with those expected from microsatellites, underlining the predominant role of genetic drift in shaping MHC variation in the bottlenecked populations. Nonetheless, some populations showed elevated differentiation at MHC, probably due to limited gene flow. The seven populations were significantly differentiated into three groups and some groups exhibited genetic monomorphism, which can be attributed to founder effects. We therefore propose various strategies for future conservation and management.
- Subjects
MAJOR histocompatibility complex; HAPLOTYPES; GENETIC drift; MICROSATELLITE repeats; BIRD populations; RARE birds; GENE flow
- Publication
Cells (2073-4409), 2019, Vol 8, Issue 4, p377
- ISSN
2073-4409
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/cells8040377