Mhc class II DNA polymorphisms within and between chromosomal species of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel.

R. Ben-Shlomo, F. Figueroa, J. Klein, E. Nevo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of two major histocompatibility class II genes (P alpha 1 and Q beta) were studied in 13 populations of four chromosomal species (2n = 52, 54, 58 and 60) of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel. A substantial frequency of allelic fragments was found in both genes for all populations, including a desert isolate. In the P alpha 1 gene, one allelic fragment is a result of a deletion mutation which is diagnostic of the 2n = 52 chromosomal species. All other ten allelic variants are the result of point mutations. All mutations are located in a short region flanking the 3' end of the gene. Based on Mhc polymorphisms we confirm earlier evidence that gene flow does not occur between the older chromosomal species (2n = 52, 54, 58), and that reproductive isolation decreases, progressively from the oldest to the youngest species (2n = 60).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)141-149
Number of pages9
JournalGenetics
Volume119
Issue number1
StatePublished - May 1988

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Genetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mhc class II DNA polymorphisms within and between chromosomal species of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this