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Characterization and evolution of major histocompatibility complex class II genes in the aye-aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis

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Abstract

Major histocompatibility complex genes (Mhc-DQB and Mhc-DRB) were sequenced in seven aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariecsis), which is an endemic and endangered species in Madagascar. An aye-aye from a north-eastern population showed genetic relatedness to individuals of a north-western population and had a somewhat different repertoire from another north-eastern individual. These observations suggest that the extent of genetic variation in Mhc genes is not excessively small in the aye-aye in spite of recent rapid destruction of their habitat by human activities. In light of Mhc gene evolution, trans-species and allelic polymorphisms can be estimated to have been retained for more than 50 Ma (million years) based on the time scale of lemur evolution.

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Acknowledgements

We thank T. Kageyama, T. Shotake and R. Fukuhara for giving technical advice, and G.M. Barrett for reading and revising this manuscript. This study was supported by the MEXT Grant-in-Aids for Scientific Research (09041158 to N.K.; 08454279 and 09874186 to H.H.).

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Correspondence to Yasuhiro Go.

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Go, Y., Rakotoarisoa, G., Kawamoto, Y. et al. Characterization and evolution of major histocompatibility complex class II genes in the aye-aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis. Primates 46, 135–139 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-004-0101-0

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