Open AccessGENETIC DIFFERENTIATION AMONG KARYOTYPIC FORMS OF THE BLACK RAT, RATTUS RATTUS
Author(s) -
P. R. Baverstock,
Mark Adams,
Linda R. Maxson,
Tosihide H. Yosida
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.792
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1943-2631
pISSN - 0016-6731
DOI - 10.1093/genetics/105.4.969
Subject(s) - biology , introgression , genetic distance , population , phylogenetic tree , reproductive isolation , genetics , zoology , genetic divergence , isozyme , genetic variation , evolutionary biology , genetic diversity , gene , enzyme , biochemistry , demography , sociology
The black rat, Rattus rattus, consists of five karyotypic forms-2n = 42 (high C-banding); 2n = 42 (low C-banding); 2n = 40; 2n = 38; 2n = 42 Mauritius. Here, we use isozyme electrophoresis and microcomplement fixation to elucidate the genetic distance and phylogenetic relationship among each of the various karyotypic forms of R. rattus and R. norvegicus . The results show that (1) the 2n = 42 Mauritius black rat (2n = 42Mau) is genetically very similar to the 2n = 38 form, suggesting that this island population has undergone very rapid chromosomal evolution; (2) the 2n = 40 form from the highlands of Sri Lanka is genetically distinct from the 2n = 38 form from the lowlands; the genetic difference is probably insufficient, however, to prevent future introgression; (3) the level of genetic differentiation occurring between the 2n = 42 forms on the one hand and the 2n = 38, 2n = 40 and 2n = 42 Mau forms on the other support the hybrid incompatability data in suggesting that the two groups are either full species or incipient species; (4) in contrast to data from amino acid composition of transferrin and from restriction endonuclease digests of mtDNA, the present data suggest that the various karyotypic forms of R. rattus are phylogenetically more closely related to each other than any is to R. norvegicus, and that they are related by a series 2n = 42 --> 2n = 40 --> 2n = 38; (5) the R. rattus/R. norvegicus divergence occurred 2-8 million years ago, whereas the various chromosomal forms of R. rattus diverged over the last 4 million years.