Comparison of chromosome and isoenzyme polymorphism in geographical populations of Leishmania (Viannia) peruviana.
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.
Dujardin
J C
JC
Laboratory of Protozoology, Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde Prince Leopold, Antwerpen, Belgium. jcdujard@itg.be
Bañuls
A L
AL
Dujardin
J P
JP
Arevalo
J
J
Tibayrenc
M
M
Le Ray
D
D
D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004588:Electrophoresis, Cellulose Acetate; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D007621:Karyotyping; D007891:Leishmania / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D010568:Peru; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D007527:Isoenzymes