Both candidate gene and neutral genetic diversity correlate with parasite resistance in female Mediterranean mouflon.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Parasite infections can have substantial impacts on population dynamics and are accordingly a key challenge for wild population management. Here we studied genetic mechanisms driving parasite resistance in a large herbivore through a comprehensive approach combining measurements of neutral (16 microsatellites) and adaptive (MHC DRB1 exon 2) genetic diversity and two types of gastrointestinal parasites (nematodes and coccidia).

Results

While accounting for other extrinsic and intrinsic predictors known to impact parasite load, we show that both neutral genetic diversity and DRB1 are associated with resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes. Intermediate levels of multi-locus heterozygosity maximized nematodes resistance, suggesting that both in- and outbreeding depr

SUBMITTER: Portanier E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6402107 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature