Genetic differentiation among cottontails from isolated playa basins.
Protein variation in 182 Sylvilagus floridanus from 19 playa basins in Castro Co., Texas was examined using starch-gel electrophoresis. Heterozygote deficiencies were noted for all populations. This heterozygote deficiency may be due to differential selection against heterozygous individuals over the winter months. Results of F-statistics indicated a significant degree of population differentiation at six loci. Nei's genetic distance between populations ranged from 0.20 to 0.388 and a significant association between genetic distance and linear geographic distance among playas was found. These results suggest that genetic exchange and long-distance dispersal may be hindered by expanses of unsuitable habitat.
D000818:Animals; D004592:Electrophoresis, Starch Gel; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics; D005787:Gene Frequency; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006579:Heterozygote; D011817:Rabbits / Q000235:genetics*; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013781:Texas
D004798:Enzymes