Wegner, K. Mathias and Eizaguirre, Christophe (2012) New(t)s and view from hybridizing MHC genes: introgression rather than trans-species polymorphism may shape allelic repertoires. Molecular Ecology, 21 (4). pp. 779-781. DOI 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05401.x.

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Abstract

One of the key features of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes is the frequent occurrence of trans-species polymorphism, that is the passage of allelic lineages from ancestral to descendant species (Klein 2007). Selectively maintained ancestral polymorphism may, however, be hard to distinguish from introgression of MHC alleles between hybridizing species (Fig1). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Nadachowska-Brzyska (2012) present data that suggest that the latter can be observed in two closely related species of newts, Lissotriton vulgaris (Lv) and L.montandoni (Lm) from south-east Europe. Strikingly, allelic MHC variation displayed more structure between geographically separated populations of L.vulgaris than across species in the hybrid zone. This suggests that high MHC variation in L.montadoni may result from mainly unidirectional gene flow between species, while differentiation between northern and southern populations of L.vulgaris might reflect local adaptation.

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