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ENHANCED SELECTION FOR MHC DIVERSITY IN SOCIAL TUCO‐TUCOS
Author(s) -
Hambuch Tina M.,
Lacey Eileen A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.84
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1558-5646
pISSN - 0014-3820
DOI - 10.1111/j.0014-3820.2002.tb01395.x
Subject(s) - biology , balancing selection , locus (genetics) , major histocompatibility complex , evolutionary biology , genetics , allele , microsatellite , genetic diversity , gene , demography , population , sociology
To explore the effects of behavior and demography on balancing selection at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci, we examined allelic diversity at exon 2 of the MHC class II DQ(3 locus in a social and a solitary species of tuco‐tuco (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae: Ctenomys ), both of which occur in the same valley in southwestern Argentina. By comparing patterns of diversity at this MHC gene to the diversity evident at fifteen microsatellite loci, we demonstrate that balancing selection at the DQ(3 locus is enhanced in the social species compared to its solitary congener. These findings have intriguing implications for the role of behavioral and demographic parameters in maintaining diversity at MHC loci.