Genetic structure in insular and mainland populations of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and their hemosporidian parasites.

ABSTRACT: Small and isolated populations usually exhibit low levels of genetic variability, and thus, they are expected to have a lower capacity to adapt to changes in environmental conditions, such as exposure to pathogens and parasites. Comparing the genetic variability of selectively neutral versus functional loci allows one to assess the evolutionary history of populations and their future evolutionary potential. The genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) control immune recognition of parasites, and their unusually high diversity is genes which is likely driven by parasite-mediated balancing selection. Here, we examined diversity and differentiation of neutral microsatellite loci and functional MHC class I genes in house sparrows (Passer domesticus), living in six insular and six ma

SUBMITTER: Bichet C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4409412 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature