Mhc class II DNA polymorphisms within and between chromosomal species of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of two major histocompatibility class II genes (P alpha 1 and Q beta) were studied in 13 populations of four chromosomal species (2n = 52, 54, 58 and 60) of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies in Israel. A substantial frequency of allelic fragments was found in both genes for all populations, including a desert isolate. In the P alpha 1 gene, one allelic fragment is a result of a deletion mutation which is diagnostic of the 2n = 52 chromosomal species. All other ten allelic variants are the result of point mutations. All mutations are located in a short region flanking the 3' end of the gene. Based on Mhc polymorphisms we confirm earlier evidence that gene flow does not occur between the older chromosomal species (2n = 52, 54, 58), and that reproductive isolation decreases, progressively from the oldest to the youngest species (2n = 60).

[1]  E. Nevo,et al.  Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) spacer polymorphism in mole rats. , 1987, Molecular biology and evolution.

[2]  E. Nevo,et al.  Evolutionary expansion of Mhc class I loci in the mole-rat, Spalax ehrenbergi. , 1987, Molecular biology and evolution.

[3]  Robert P. Erickson,et al.  Natural history of the major histocompatibility complex , 1987 .

[4]  E. Nevo,et al.  Evolutionary diversification of class II P loci in the Mhc of the mole-rat Spalax ehrenbergi. , 1987, Molecular biology and evolution.

[5]  E. Nevo.  MECHANISMS OF ADAPTIVE SPECIATION AT THE MOLECULAR AND ORGANISMAL LEVELS , 1986 .

[6]  J. Bodmer,et al.  Gene clusters and the evolution of the major histocompatibility system. , 1986, Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences.

[7]  J. Klein,et al.  Evolution of the major histocompatibility complex. , 1986, Critical reviews in immunology.

[8]  Eviatar Nevo,et al.  Speciation in action and adaptation in subterranean mole rats: patterns and theory , 1985 .

[9]  B. Charlesworth,et al.  Genetic Revolutions, Founder Effects, and Speciation , 1984 .

[10]  R. Ben-Shlomo,et al.  The Evolutionary Significance of Genetic Diversity: Ecological, Demographic and Life History Correlates , 1984 .

[11]  L. Hood,et al.  Genes of the major histocompatibility complex in mouse and man. , 1983, Science.

[12]  L. Hood,et al.  Molecular immunology: genes of the major histocompatibility complex of the mouse , 1984 .

[13]  R. L. Collins,et al.  Organization and evolution of the mammalian genome: I. Polymorphism of H-2 linked loci. , 1982, Genetics.

[14]  E. Nevo.  Speciation in subterranean mammals. , 1982, Progress in clinical and biological research.

[15]  E. Nevo.  Adaptive Convergence and Divergence of Subterranean Mammals , 1979 .

[16]  E. Nevo,et al.  Genetic differentiation during speciation , 1978, Nature.

[17]  R. Berry,et al.  Heterogeneous heterozygosities in Mus musculus populations , 1977, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences.

[18]  E. Nevo,et al.  HYBRIDIZATION AND SPECIATION IN FOSSORIAL MOLE RATS , 1976, Evolution; international journal of organic evolution.

[19]  E. Southern.  Detection of specific sequences among DNA fragments separated by gel electrophoresis. , 1975, Journal of molecular biology.

[20]  M. Nei,et al.  THE BOTTLENECK EFFECT AND GENETIC VARIABILITY IN POPULATIONS , 1975, Evolution; international journal of organic evolution.