Geneticdiversitycomparisonof theDQA geneinEuropeanrabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations

摘要: The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus )n atu- ral populations within the species native region, Iberian Peninsula, are considered a reservoir of genetic diversity. Indeed, Iberia was Pleistocene refuge to and currently two subspecies found in peninsula Oryctolagus algirus). genes major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been substantially studied wild due their exceptional variability, believed be pathogen driven. Theyplayanimportant functionaspartofthe adaptive immunesystemaffecting individualfitnessand population viability. In this study, MHC variability assessed by analysing exon 2 DQA gene several from Portugal, Spain France domestic breeds. Twenty-eight alleles were detected, among which 18 described for first time. rabbitpopulationsarewelldifferentiatedfromtheFrenchpop- ulation retained higher allelic diversity with breeds harbouring lowest; contrast, nucleotide diver- sity French population. Signatures posi- tive selection detected four codons putative peptide-binding sites previously other mammals. evolutionary relationships showed in- stances trans-species polymorphism. Overall, our results suggest that rabbits is evolving under drift