Immune Hematological Characteristics and Immune Instability in Twin Species of Common Vole (the Microtus arvalis group) at Different Levels of Anthropogenic Stress

摘要

The relationship between immunity and mutation process is complicated: on the one hand, mutations are necessary for the formation of cellular immunity; on the other hand, the immune system participates in sustaining genetic homeostasis by the elimination of cells carrying mutations. Therefore, it is clear that the factors changing the immune status of the body must be taken into account when studying the mutation process in natural populations. These factors include first of all infectious agents which animals constantly encounter under natural conditions, as well as mutagens occurring in the environment as a result of human activity. Therefore, we studied the degree of the damage of the chromosomal apparatus and some immunological and hemato-logical parameters in two chromosomal twin species of common vole, Microtus arvalis sensu stricto Pallas, 1779, form obscurus (2n = 46, NFa = 68) and M. rossi-aemeridionalis Ognev, 1924 (2n = 54). Although their existence as separate species has been confirmedby hybridological experiments and cytogenetic analysis, they exhibit a high degree of phenotypic similarity, inhabit the same biotopes, and are sympatrically distributed [1]. The purpose of this study was to compare the responses of their genomes and immune systems to identical stress factors in common habitats of the two species.