Genetic diversity of the major histocompatibility complex of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) inhabiting an oil refinery complex

• Published in: Environmental toxicology and chemistry Vol. 20; no. 10; pp. 2224 - 2228
• Main Authors: Pfau, Russell S., McBee, Karen, Van Den Bussche, Ronald A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Periodicals, Inc 01.10.2001; SETAC
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates; Environmental Pollutants - adverse effects; Evolutionarytoxicology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetic diversity; Genetic Variation; Major histocompatibility complex; Major Histocompatibility Complex - genetics; Male; Mammalia; Population genetics; Selection; Selection, Genetic; Sigmodontinae - genetics; United States; North America; Oklahoma; America; Genetic selection; Immune response; Toxicity; Major histocompatibility system; Rodentia; Biological marker; Genetic diversity; Refinery; Spatial variation; Population genetics; Petroleum; Chemical pollution; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Muridae; Sigmodon hispidus
• ISSN: 0730-7268; 1552-8618
• DOI: 10.1002/etc.5620201014

We examined genetic diversity of an immune‐response gene within the major histocompatibility complex in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) inhabiting an oil refinery complex. Genetic diversity of MHC‐DQA exon‐2 was examined within and among contaminated and noncontaminated reference grids. The level of gene diversity within contaminated grids (0.748) was lower than within reference grids (0.818), but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.5). Analysis of molecular variance, pairwise FST values, and hierarchical clustering failed to reveal population genetic structure related to contamination. Results of this study indicate either that the level of contaminant‐induced selection is insignificant at this major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus or that gene flow from surrounding areas has obliterated the effects of selection.