Variability of the mc1r Gene in Melanic and Non-Melanic Podarcis lilfordi and Podarcis pityusensis from the Balearic Archipelago

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053088
• Publication Date: 2013-01-08T22:37:31Z
• Authors: Joana M. Buades; Virginia Rodríguez; Bàrbara Terrasa; Valentin Pérez-Me...; Richard P. Brown; Jose A. Castro; Antònia Picornell; M. M. Ramon
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; Polymorphism, Genetic; Pigmentation; Science; Q; R; Genetic Variation; Lizards; 03 medical and health sciences; Phenotype; Medicine; Animals; Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1; Research Article

The association between polymorphism at the mc1r locus and colour variation was studied in two wall lizard species (Podarcis lilfordi P. pityusensis) from Balearic archipelago. Podarcis comprises several deep mitochondrial lineages, oldest of which originated Pliocene, while much shallower lineages are found pityusensis. Here, we examined whether specific substitutions were associated with melanic colouration islet populations these species. Homologous nuclear sequences covering most gene obtained 73 individuals non-melanic different (the entire also sequenced six selected individuals). MtDNA trees constructed used as a framework to assess diversity. Mc1r showed greater than However, observed no that common all across Only one significant detected partial sequence, but this synonymous A/G mutation A alleles being more abundant populations. In addition, there associations main dominant phenotypes (green brown, blue yellow spots ventral colour) or non-synonymous gene. There statistical evidence selection on mc1r. This study suggests relationship Podarcis.