Major histocompatibility complex diversity in an urban Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) population: Implications for conservation

摘要: Since the 15 century, human activity has altered and degraded nearly half of available land Cape Peninsula, South Africa; this resulted in significant restriction fragmentation historic geographic range peninsula's Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) population. Extensive contemporary urban sprawl today restricts sub-adult male baboons from dispersing natal groups to troops elsewhere Western Cape, Africa resulting reduced gene flow across landscape together with a loss neutral genetic within baboons. This variation, coupled close proximity humans environmental pressures existing an landscape, raise concerns about potential for pathogen mediated population declines emergence infectious diseases. In study variation at loci responsible adaptive immune response is examined discussed context conservation approach that includes translocation as management tool introducing novel Peninsula place extensive costly disease screening, data second exon major histocompatibility complex (MHC) DQA locus was proxy environment sampled Cape. Results indicated exhibit high levels allelic diversity MHC-DQA I locus. Sequences described represent two lineages have evolved under strong selection functional presence pathogens. One allele (Paur _ *0 I) recovered frequencies (43-92%) all ten sample sites, alleles representing distinct were found among populations both on offthe peninsula. Data augments findings previous work mitochondrial preliminary screenings; these studies provide support regime should consider animals effective ensure persistence evolutionarily fit Peninsula. Un ive rsi ty Ca pe To wn Acknowledgements First foremost, would like express my sincere gratitude supervisor Dr. Jacqueline Bishop me new realm skills, her constant guidance throughout master's project. also want Justin O'Riain, Tali Hoffman, Esme Beamish, Dani Ravasi, Julian Saunders, Larissa Swedell their assistance collection. Thanks African National Parks Table Mountain Fund particular Gavin Bellfor facilitating sampling Park. project not been possible without funding Carnegie Foundation Research Development Grant awarded further financial University Town's Committee. Lastly, thank family MSc CB classmates continued emotional length course. ii Plagiarism declaration 1. know plagiarism wrong. use another's pretend it one's own. 2. used footnote convention citation referencing. Each contribution to, quotation in, assignment work(s) other people attributed, cited referenced. 3. acknowledge copying someone else's or essay, part it, wrong own work. 4. allowed, will allow, anyone copy intention passing off his Signature __________ Date ----------The research complied protocols approved by ethics committees Town. Socie(v Prevention Cruelty Animals, adhered legal requirements. Opinions expressed conclusions arrived at, are those author necessari~v be attributed any organizations. iii