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Extensive protein and microsatellite variability in an isolated, cyclic ungulate population
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  • Original Article
  • Published: 01 March 1995

Extensive protein and microsatellite variability in an isolated, cyclic ungulate population

  • David R Bancroft1 nAff3,
  • Josephine M Pemberton1 nAff4 &
  • Peter King2 

Heredity volume 74, pages 326–336 (1995)Cite this article

  • 968 Accesses

  • 64 Citations

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Abstract

We investigated polymorphism at protein and microsatellite DNA loci in an isolated, unmanaged and cyclic population of Soay sheep on the island of Hirta, St. Kilda. Extensive molecular variation was revealed at both protein loci (mean heterozygosity 7.78 per cent) and microsatellite loci (mean heterozygosity 50.93 per cent). Typically, large mammals possess limited protein variation and we were surprised to observe such a level of protein heterozygosity, particularly considering the genetic history of the Hirta population. Indeed, compared to other mammals, Soay sheep lie within the top 17 per cent of the distribution of average protein heterozygosities. We discuss the level of protein heterozygosity in the context of other mammalian species, other breeds of sheep and the genetic history of Soay sheep. Possible explanations for a large average and interlocus variance in protein heterozygosity are proposed. Although little data are available from other studies to compare with microsatellite DNA variability in this population, we discuss the potential application of microsatellite markers to interpopulation and interspecific genetic studies.

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Author notes

  1. David R Bancroft

    Present address: Genome Analysis Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, PO Box 123, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PX, UK

  2. Josephine M Pemberton

    Present address: Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK

    David R Bancroft & Josephine M Pemberton

  2. Department of Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

    Peter King

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  2. Josephine M Pemberton
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  3. Peter King
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Bancroft, D., Pemberton, J. & King, P. Extensive protein and microsatellite variability in an isolated, cyclic ungulate population. Heredity 74, 326–336 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1995.47

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  • Received: 13 July 1994

  • Issue date: 01 March 1995

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1995.47

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Keywords

  • allozymes
  • bottlenecks
  • microsatellites
  • molecular variation
  • natural population
  • sheep

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