Lack of diversity at innate immunity Toll-like receptor genes in the Critically Endangered White-winged Flufftail (Sarothrura ayresi).
The White-winged Flufftail (Sarothrura ayresi) population is listed as globally Critically Endangered. White-winged Flufftails are only known to occur, with any regularity, in the high-altitude wetlands of South Africa and Ethiopia. Threats to the species include the limited number of suitable breeding sites in Ethiopia and severe habitat degradation and loss both in Ethiopia and South Africa. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are increasingly being studied in a variety of taxa as a broader approach to determine functional genetic diversity. In this study, we confirm low genetic diversity in the innate immune regions of the White-winged Flufftail similar to that observed in other bird species that have undergone population bottlenecks. Low TLR diversity in White-winged Flufftail indicates that this species is more likely to be threatened by changes to the environment that would potentially expose the species to new diseases. Thus, conservation efforts should be directed towards maintaining pristine habitat for White-winged Flufftail in its current distribution range. To date, no studies on immunogenetic variation in White-winged Flufftail have been conducted and to our knowledge, this is the first study of TLR genetic diversity in a critically endangered species.
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.|Genetics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
Desire L
DL
Dalton
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
Elaine
E
Vermaak
BirdLife South Africa, Private Bag X5000 Parklands 2121, Gauteng, South Africa.|Applied Behavioural Ecological &Ecosystem Research Unit (ABEERU), UNISA, Private Bag X6, Florida, 1717, South Africa.
Hanneline A
HA
Smit-Robinson
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.|Genetics Department, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
Antoinette
A
Kotze
D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001717:Birds / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D056727:Endangered Species; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D030161:Avian Proteins; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors