Parasite-mediated selection of major histocompatibility complex variability in wild brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) from Inner Mongolia China

摘要

BackgroundGenes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) exhibit high levels of variability, which is believed to have arisen through pathogen-mediated selection. We investigated the relationship between parasite load and genetic diversity at selectively neutral, non-coding markers (microsatellites) and adaptive genetic variation at a functionally important part of the MHC in six independent natural populations of Brandt’s voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) from two regions of the Xilingol Grassland area of Inner Mongolia.