Noninvasive Estimation of Minimum Population Sizes and Variability of the Major Histocompatibility Complex in the Andean Condor

The condor

Miguel Alcaide¹ 

关键词: abundance;    adaptive variation;    Andean Condor;    Cathartidae;    genetic assessment;    genetic monitoring;    immunogenetics;    major histocompatibility complex;    Vultur gryphus;   

DOI  :  10.1525/cond.2010.090203

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Central Ornithology Publication Office

【 摘 要 】

Abstract. Estimating indices of abundance of threatened species is crucial to preserving biodiversity. Over the last few decades, noninvasive genetic sampling has proven to be a more straightforward and less expensive approach than capture—mark—recapture analyses. In particular, molted feathers have become extremely popular for the monitoring of bird populations. Diagnostic molecular markers such as microsatellites, however, are still not available for many avian species of conservation concern. Highly polymorphic genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), on the other hand, have become reasonably accessible during the last few years. We tested the suitability of MHC profiles as DNA fingerprints to assist the identification of individuals of a scavenger difficult to monitor through traditional approaches, the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus). To achieve this aim, we isolated polymorphic and putatively functional genes of MHC class I (exon 3, 6 alleles) and MHC class IIB (exon 2, 11 alleles). Singl...

【 授权许可】

CC BY