Article
High MHC gene copy number maintains diversity despite homozygosity in a Critically Endangered single-island endemic bird, but no evidence of MHC-based mate choice.
Molecular ecology - 1 Oct 2020
Stervander Martin, Dierickx Elisa G, Thorley Jack, Brooke M de L, Westerdahl Helena
Abstract excerpt
Small population sizes can, over time, put species at risk due to the loss of genetic variation and the deleterious effects of inbreeding. Losing diversity in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) could be particularly harmful, given its key role in the immune system. Here, we assess MHC class I (MHC-I) diversity and its effects on mate choice and survival in the Critically Endangered Raso lark Alauda razae,...
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