Abstract
Five chromosomes and 17 isoenzyme loci were analysed in 4 allopatric populations of Leishmania (Viannia) peruviana, and molecular distances calculated with 2 estimators, Chromosomal Size Difference Index and Jaccard Distance. Chromosome and isoenzyme data were in overall concordance: 13/30 isolates clustered similarly on the dendrograms constructed from the different estimators, and a significant correlation (P<0·001) was observed between the molecular distances calculated from the two sets of characters. This indicates an evolutionary association between chromosomal size polymorphism and isoenzymes. Chromosomes have a faster molecular clock than isoenzymes; twice as many genotypes were identified by chromosome analysis and significant size differences (for a total of up to 500 kb for 5 chromosomes together) were observed within a given zymodeme. Chromosomes most likely represent better indicators of genetic drift than isoenzymes, as suggested by the higher correlation between both estimators of chromosomal size-polymorphism and eco-geography. Some chromosomes might present an adaptive response to environmental variation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Parasitology |
| Volume | 117 |
| Pages (from-to) | 547-554 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISSN | 0031-1820 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
Keywords
- B780-tropical-medicine
- Protozoology
- Leishmania peruviana
- Genetics
- Polymorphism
- Chromosomes
- Isoenzymes