Characterization of MHC class IIB for four endangered Australian freshwater fishes obtained from ecologically divergent populations

摘要: Genetic diversity is an essential aspect of species viability, and assessments neutral genetic are regularly implemented in captive breeding conservation programs. Despite their importance, information from adaptive markers rarely included such A promising marker significance fitness potential the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a key component immune system. Populations Australian freshwater fishes generally declining numbers due to human impacts introduction exotic species, scenario particular concern for members family Percichthyidae, several which listed as nationally vulnerable or endangered, hence subject management plans, breeding, restoration plans. We used next-generation sequencing approach characterize MHC IIB locus provide conservative description its levels four endangered percichthyids: Gadopsis marmoratus, Macquaria australasica, Nannoperca australis, obscura. Evidence presented duplicated locus, positively selected sites recombination alleles. Relatively moderate were detected well different ecotypes within each species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed genus specific clustering alleles no allele sharing among There also shared observed between two G. marmoratus M. might be indicative ecologically-driven divergence and/or long times. This represents first characterization assessment general, providing resources vertebrate group increasing concern.