Spatial and temporal variation at major histocompatibility complex class IIB genes in the endangered Blakiston's fish owl.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Quantifying intraspecific genetic variation in functionally important genes, such as those of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), is important in the establishment of conservation plans for endangered species. The MHC genes play a crucial role in the vertebrate immune system and generally show high levels of diversity, which is likely due to pathogen-driven balancing selection. The endangered Blakiston's fish owl (Bubo blakistoni) has suffered marked population declines on Hokkaido Island, Japan, during the past several decades due to human-induced habitat loss and fragmentation. We investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of genetic diversity in MHC class IIβ genes in Blakiston's fish owl, using massively parallel pyrosequencing.

Results

We found

SUBMITTER: Kohyama TI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4657285 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature