Low major histocompatibility complex diversity in the Tasmanian devil predates European settlement and may explain susceptibility to disease epidemics

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dc.contributor.authorMorris, K.
dc.contributor.authorAustin, J.
dc.contributor.authorBelov, K.
dc.date.issued2013
dc.description.abstractThe Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is at risk of extinction owing to the emergence of a contagious cancer known as devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). The emergence and spread of DFTD has been linked to low genetic diversity in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). We examined MHC diversity in historical and ancient devils to determine whether loss of diversity is recent or predates European settlement in Australia. Our results reveal no additional diversity in historical Tasmanian samples. Mainland devils had common modern variants plus six new variants that are highly similar to existing alleles. We conclude that low MHC diversity has been a feature of devil populations since at least the Mid-Holocene and could explain their tumultuous history of population crashes.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityKatrina Morris, Jeremy J. Austin and Katherine Belov
dc.identifier.citationBiology Letters, 2013; 9(1):1-6
dc.identifier.doi10.1098/rsbl.2012.0900
dc.identifier.issn1744-9561
dc.identifier.issn1744-957X
dc.identifier.orcidAustin, J. [0000-0003-4244-2942]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/77433
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherThe Royal Society
dc.relation.grantARC
dc.rights© 2012 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2012.0900
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectMarsupialia
dc.subjectFacial Neoplasms
dc.subjectGenetic Predisposition to Disease
dc.subjectCloning, Molecular
dc.subjectPolymerase Chain Reaction
dc.subjectSequence Alignment
dc.subjectSequence Analysis, DNA
dc.subjectPhylogeny
dc.subjectMajor Histocompatibility Complex
dc.subjectAmino Acid Sequence
dc.subjectGenotype
dc.subjectAlleles
dc.subjectTime Factors
dc.subjectFossils
dc.subjectAustralia
dc.subjectGenetic Variation
dc.subjectEndangered Species
dc.titleLow major histocompatibility complex diversity in the Tasmanian devil predates European settlement and may explain susceptibility to disease epidemics
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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