New data on coat color mutant gene frequencies in domestic cats of the European part of Russia (the City of Kamyshin)

Frequencies of mutant alleles that control coat color of domestic cats were determined in population of the city of Kamyshin, Volgograd oblast. Intermediate position of the population with respect to the O and t ^b mutant gene frequencies was demonstrated. These data were consistent with the idea on the existence of the so-called corridor of low frequencies of the first gene and the zone of absence of the second gene. One of the highest frequencies of gene d was recorded. The frequencies of the other genes were in the ranges observed in other populations.     

Mutant allele frequencies in domestic cat populations in the Netherlands

Surveys of gene frequencies in domestic cat (Felis catus) populations were carried out in four cities in the Netherlands. The principal variants recorded included seven mutant alleles affecting coat colour and hair length. Significant differences in frequencies were found between cities at some of the loci considered. The results of these surveys help to clarify certain trends in the distribution of mutant alleles in cat populations across Europe. Some insight is offered into the importance of trade routes in determining these patterns of distribution. In addition, comparisons between owned pets and unwanted cats indicate that human preferences have little effect on mutant allele frequencies.     

Mutant allele frequencies in the cat population of Omaha, Nebraska

The phenotypes of 256 cats seen in Omaha, Nebraska, during the summer of 1983 were recorded and compared to those of other midcontinental USA cat populations. When cats that were "pure-bred," or derived from pure breeds, were excluded, random breeding at the O locus was confirmed and mutant allele frequencies were: O = 0.352, a = 0.813, tb = 0.354, d = 0.525, I = 0.369, S = 0.197, and W = 0.039. Siamese and Himalayan cats constituted 10.9 percent of the total sample (cs = 0.342), but analysis suggests that they are not randomly mating with the general population. Mutant allele frequencies of Omaha cats are more similar to those of cats in Champaign, Illinois, than to those of St. Louis, suggesting that an overland route was more important than a river route in founding the Omaha cat population.     

Genetic polymorphism of the seventh component of complement in a Japanese population

Summary Genetic polymorphism of C7 in a Japanese population has been described, using polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing electrophoresis followed by an electrophoretic blotting technique. Phenotypes of C7 were classified into six common patterns, and observed phenotypes were produced by autosomal codominant at a single locus with three alleles. Three common alleles, designated C7^*B, C7^*M and C7^*A, were found, and gene frequencies calculated from 494 individuals showed C7^*B=0.858, C7^*M=0.096 and C7^*A=0.046, respectively. It is noteworthy that both C7^*M and C7^*A have polymorphic frequencies in the Japanese population. The distribution of phenotypes fitted the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Results indicate that the electrophoretic blotting technique, which has high specificity and sensitivity, is applicable in the study of heterogeneity of protein antigens.     

Changes in DNA-marker frequencies associated with response to contrasting selection methods in Arabidopsis

 Recurrent selection for specific combining ability (RS-SCA) and S1 family performance (RS-S1) were compared in replicated selection programs initiated from a common C0 base population of Arabidopsis. Three cycles of selection for aerial biomass were completed in each of two replicate programs of each selection method. Response to selection was measured on the basis of per se, S1 progeny, and testcross performance with a common tester. All selection programs improved testcross performance. Testcross gain per cycle in RS-S1 (7.15% cycle^-1) and RS-SCA (5.31% cycle^-1) were not significantly different. Performance of S1 progeny and populations per se significantly improved over cycles of selection using RS-S1 but were unchanged by RS-SCA. Codominant molecular marker-allele frequencies were recorded for each population at 22 polymorphic loci. Trends in marker-allele frequencies were tested by linear regression. Significant trends in marker-allele frequencies pooled over replicate programs were detected at 8 and 7 loci in the RS-S1 and RS-SCA programs, respectively. Marker alleles at 2 loci significantly changed frequency in response to both RS-S1 and RS-SCA programs. Marker alleles at 6 loci significantly changed frequency only in response to RS-SCA. Marker alleles at 6 other loci showed significant linear trends pooled over replicates only in RS-S1. No markers revealed increases in the frequency of different marker alleles within loci using the two selection methods. Possible genetic causes of marker frequency changes are discussed, as well as breeding implications.     

Genetic polymorphism of sorbitol dehydrogenase in the brown hare and the distribution of the variation in Central Europe

A genetic polymorphism of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH; EC 1.1.1.14) for two allozymes is demonstrated in the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) by means of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Segregation analysis was performed in a sample of four matings with 12 offspring and confirmed the genetic hypothesis: two alleles at an autosomal locus. The calculated gene frequencies in the brown hare breed studied areSdh ^a =0.712 andSdh ^b =0.288. The distribution of the polymorphism in free-ranging brown hare populations from Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland is described.This research was supported by a grant from the Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Austria (project P6767B).     

Genetics of glucose phosphate isomerase and phosphoglucomutase in Aedes albopictus (diptera: culicidae)

Summary Glucose phosphate isomerase (E.C. 5.3.1.9) and phosphoglucomutase (E.C. 2.7.5.1) were found to be polymorphic in a laboratory colony of Aedes albopictus. The glucose phosphate isomerase locus is represented by two alleles resulting in three genotypes, while the phosphoglucomutase locus is represented by at least five alleles giving rise to a total of 15 genotypes. The inheritance of these two enzymes is of the Mendelian type with codominant alleles. Present data indicate that these genes are not linked.Of 105 mosquitoes analysed for these two gene-enzyme systems, the frequencies for glucose phosphate isomerase alleles are Gpi ^S=0.68 and Gpi ^F=0.32, while the frequencies for phosphoglucomutase alleles are Pgm ^A=0.16, Pgm ^B=0.11, Pgm ^C=0.19, Pgm ^D=0.30 and Pgm ^F= 0.24. The frequencies of the three glucose phosphate isomerase genotypes are in accord with Hardy-Weinberg expectations (X ₁ ² =2.74). Similarly, the frequencies of the 15 phosphoglucomutase genotypes probably do not differ significantly from Hardy-Weinberg expectations (X ₁₀ ² = 18.45).     

Serumprotein polymorphisms in Iran

Summary The results of a population genetic investigation on Iranians are given and compared to the results obtained on other populations from Southwestern and Southern Asia. Our total material from Iran comprises n=1020 nonrelated male and female individuals of different age. The following serum groups have been typed: Hp, Gc, Gm, and Inv. In general there exist no remarkable age or sex differences in the distribution of phenotypes and alleles (the only exception: sex differences in the distribution of the Gm (7)-phenotype). The regional distribution of phenotypes and alleles yield no marked differences, too, apart from the Invphenotypes, however. For the total material of Iran the following alleles frequencies could be calculated: Hp¹=0.3045, Hp²=0.6595, Gc²=0.3405; Gm¹=0.1780, Gm^1,2=0.0537, Gm^1,5=0.0632, Gm⁵=0.7051. The Gm (7)-phenotype turned out to be 36.6%; the Inv (1)-phenotype amounts to 25.6%. Comparing with other populations, especially Pakistani and Indian samples, some heterogeneity in the distribution of phenotypes and alleles within Southwestern and Southern Asia was to be demonstrated. Some distributional trends of alleles frequencies shall be mentioned here: the increase of Hp², Gc¹, and Gm¹ alleles from West towards East, and in the opposite direction the decrease of Hp¹, Gc², and Gm⁵ alleles. Selective acting forces are supposed to be most important factors for this. D77     

The First Estimates of Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata Population Density from Bornean Primary and Selectively Logged Forest

The marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata is a poorly known wild cat that has a broad distribution across much of the Indomalayan ecorealm. This felid is thought to exist at low population densities throughout its range, yet no estimates of its abundance exist, hampering assessment of its conservation status. To investigate the distribution and abundance of marbled cats we conducted intensive, felid-focused camera trap surveys of eight forest areas and two oil palm plantations in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Study sites were broadly representative of the range of habitat types and the gradient of anthropogenic disturbance and fragmentation present in contemporary Sabah. We recorded marbled cats from all forest study areas apart from a small, relatively isolated forest patch, although photographic detection frequency varied greatly between areas. No marbled cats were recorded within the plantations, but a single individual was recorded walking along the forest/plantation boundary. We collected sufficient numbers of marbled cat photographic captures at three study areas to permit density estimation based on spatially explicit capture-recapture analyses. Estimates of population density from the primary, lowland Danum Valley Conservation Area and primary upland, Tawau Hills Park, were 19.57 (SD: 8.36) and 7.10 (SD: 1.90) individuals per 100 km², respectively, and the selectively logged, lowland Tabin Wildlife Reserve yielded an estimated density of 10.45 (SD: 3.38) individuals per 100 km². The low detection frequencies recorded in our other survey sites and from published studies elsewhere in its range, and the absence of previous density estimates for this felid suggest that our density estimates may be from the higher end of their abundance spectrum. We provide recommendations for future marbled cat survey approaches.     

Gene frequencies in the cat population of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the possible origin of this population.

The phenotypes of 295 stray cats seen in the capital area of Buenos Aires, Argentina, between March and December of 1989 were recorded. The corresponding mutant allele frequencies were as follows: O = 0.28, a = 0.83, Ta = 0.01; tb = 0.31; d = 0.45; I = 0.40; S = 0.28; W = 0.02. The allele frequencies calculated at the O locus were consistent with those expected for a randomly breeding population according to the formula for the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The analysis of the genetic distances between Buenos Aires and several European cat populations revealed that the Spanish and, especially, those with a proven more ancestral genetic constitution, are the most closely related. When a similar analysis was carried out, including other Latin American cat populations, those of Spanish origin were found to show the highest degree of relatedness. These findings suggest that the Buenos Aires cat population was not genetically structured following the "two-stepping-stone" model and support the hypothesis that differential gene flows play a transcendental role in understanding the genetic composition of domestic cat populations.     

Carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes in nine troops of Kenya baboons, Papio cynocephalus (Linnaeus 1766)

The distributions of alleles at the carbonic anhydrase I (CA I = CA B) and carbonic anhydrase II (CA II = CA C) loci in nine troops of Papio cynocephalus were determined. Two alleles were found at the CA I locus, and three at the CA II locus; the frequencies were: CA I^a = 0.856; CA I^b = 0.144; CA II^a = 0.784; CA II^b = 0.209; CA II^c = 0.007. Results of tests for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, homogeneity tests, and calculations of migration rates were used in support of the interpretation that migration and genetic drift may affect the distribution of alleles at the CA I locus and that selection is the process responsible for the distribution of alleles at the CA II locus.     

Distribution of transferrin phenotypes in selected troops of Kenya baboons

The distribution of transferrin alleles in a group of common baboons, Papio cynocephalus of East Africa, was determined after starch gel electrophoresis of plasma and autoradiography of electrophoretograms. Three alleles, Tf^A, Tf^B, and Tf^C, were found, in agreement with results previously reported. The frequencies of these alleles are Tf^A = 0.276, Tf^B = 0.515, Tf^c = 0.209. The difference between the frequencies reported here and those reported by Buettner-Janusch (1963 Folia Primat., 1: 73–87) for the same species (Tf^A = 0.205, Tf^B = 0.332, Tf^c = 0.463) is significant. Transferrin of P. cynocephalus contains four residues of sialic acid per molecule of transferrin, as determined by electrophoresis and autoradiography of plasma treated with neuraminidase.     

Social Behaviour of Domestic Cats (Felis lybica f. catus L.): a Study of Dominance in a Group of Female Laboratory Cats

The behaviour of a group of female domestic cats (n = 10) under laboratory conditions is described. Behavioural observations were made on a total of 20 days during a 3-month period; only frequencies were recorded. Analysis of the winner/loser matrix revealed a linear rank order. This rank order correlated with several variables. The higher the rank, the more offensive threats a cat emitted overall, and the more defensive threats it received overall; within a pair, the higher-ranking cat displayed more offensive threats, whereas the lower-ranking cat displayed more defensive threats. The higher a rank, the more bouts of social licking a cat emitted overall, and the more bouts of social sniffing and social rubbing it received overall; within a pair, the higher-ranking cat tended to show more social licking, whereas the lower-ranking cat showed more social sniffing. The higher the rank, the more time a cat tended to spend on the floor, and the less time it spent in a 16-compartment complex; the further animals were apart in rank, the smaller were the proximity scores between them. Finally, higher-ranking cats tended to gain weight, whereas lower-ranking cats tended to lose weight. These data suggest that the concept of dominance may be applied to this group of cats. It is discussed whether the observed rank order is specific for indoor conditions under which the cats were living. The role of social licking is also discussed.     

Frequency Distribution of Esterase-5 Alleles in Two Populations of DROSOPHILA PSEUDOOBSCURA

Statistical tests comparing allele frequencies in natural populations with those predicted by various theories of genic variation depend critically on the accurate enumeration of alleles. This study used a series of five sequential electrophoretic conditions to characterize the allele frequency distributions of esterase-5 in two large population samples of Drosophila pseudoobscura from California. In Standard chromosome lines 12 electromorphs were discriminated using a single electrophoretic condition. When four additional criteria were used, the number of electromorphs increased to 41, 33 in one population and 22 in the other. Both populations had the same two alleles in high frequency, with other alleles present in frequencies of 6% or less. Although each population had a number of unique alleles, a χ² contingency test demonstrated no significant genetic divergence between them. A statistical comparison of allele frequencies in both populations with that predicted by neutral models suggests that the individual and combined distributions deviate from neutrality in the direction of purifying selection.—Sex-Ratio chromosomes differed markedly from Standard chromosomes in both allelic content and diversity. In 32 Sex-Ratio chromosomes from one population only three alleles were found, all of which were detected under the initial "standard" electrophoretic conditions. Moreover, none of these alleles was found in the Standard chromosome lines.     

Electrophoretic subtyping of phosphoglucomutase locus 1 (PGM1) polymorphism in the Italian and Czechoslovakian populations

About 3,500 subjects from Italy and Czechoslovakia have been analyzed by acid starch gel electrophoresis for the subtyping of PGM1 polymorphism. The Italian sample included three different subgroups, from Northern, Central and Southern Italy. The allele frequencies found in the three groups do not differ significantly from each other; the observed values in the pooled sample are: PGM1S1 = 0.594, PGM1F1 = 0.118, PGM2S1 = 0.231, PGM2F1 = 0.057. In the Czechoslovakian group, which differs significantly from the Italian population, the following allele frequencies were found: PGM1S1 = 0.639, PGM1F1 = 0.118, PGM2S1 = 0.180, PGM2F1 = 0.063. The analysis of 217 families did not show any exception to Mendelian inheritance of the patterns.     

Reasons for Relinquishment and Return of Domestic Cats (Felis Silvestris Catus) to Rescue Shelters in the UK

ABSTRACT

Significant numbers of cats enter rescue and re-homing facilities each year, over half of which are relinquished directly by owners. Identifying the reasons why owners decide to give up their pet is an important step in the development of education strategies to encourage retention of cats by their owners. In addition, identifying why adopting owners fail to retain their new cats is important in the refinement of homing policies. Characteristics of 6,089 cats relinquished and returned to 11 rescue facilities in the UK were recorded over a year. In addition, information was collected on the reason why owners gave up, or brought back, their pet. Sixty percent of cats and kittens entering shelters were relinquished by owners, with 19% being due to owner circumstances, such as moving to rented accommodation or changes in family circumstances. Seven percent were for behavioral reasons, and 5% because of the occurrence of allergy or asthma in owners. Returned cats were significantly more likely to be older (Mann Whitney U, Z = –9.167, p < 0.001) and neutered (Pearson χ² = 110.0, df = 2, p < 0.001) than the general relinquished population. The reasons for original relinquishment and return of owned cats were also significantly different (Pearson χ² = 84.4, df = 6, p < 0.001), with 38% of cats being returned for behavioral reasons, and 18% because of allergy or asthma. The commonest behavioral reason for both relinquishment and return was aggression between cats in the household.     

PCR/oligonucleotide probe typing of HLA class II alleles in a Filipino population reveals an unusual distribution of HLA haplotypes.

We have analyzed the distribution of HLA class II alleles and haplotypes in a Filipino population by PCR amplification of the DRB1, DQB1, and DPB1 second-exon sequences from buccal swabs obtained from 124 family members and 53 unrelated individuals. The amplified DNA was typed by using nonradioactive sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. Twenty-two different DRB1 alleles, including the novel Filipino *1105, and 46 different DRB1/DQB1 haplotypes, including the unusual DRB1*0405-DQB1*0503, were identified. An unusually high frequency (f = .383) of DPB1*0101, a rare allele in other Asian populations, was also observed. In addition, an unusual distribution of DRB1 alleles and haplotypes was seen in this population, with DR2 (f = .415) and DRB1*1502-DQB1*0502 (f = .233) present at high frequencies. This distribution of DRB1 alleles differs from the typical HLA population distribution, in which the allele frequencies are more evenly balanced. The distribution of HLA class II alleles and haplotypes in this Filipino population is different from that of other Asian and Pacific groups: of those populations studied to date; the Indonesian population is the most similar. DRB1*1502-DQB1*0502 was in strong linkage disequilibrium (D'' = .41) with DPB1*0101 (f = .126, for the extended haplotype), which is consistent with selection for this DR, DQ, DP haplotype being responsible for the high frequency of these three class II alleles in this population.     

C3 polymorphism,HLA and chronic renal failure in Spaniards

Summary C3 allele frequencies were studied in 196 unrelated normal Spaniards. The results fit the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No rare variants were detected. The C3 frequency was close but slightly higher than that found in other Caucasoid populations, and higher than that found in Negroids and Orientals. Spanish Basques also showed a high C3^F frequency. A North-South decreasing C3^F gradient was recorded and compared to other gradients (HLA-D/DR, height, etc.) thought to be due to natural selection. Lod scores in 28 Spanish families excluded C3 gene assignment at less than 45cM of HLA/GLO linkage group; no significant linkage disequilibrium was found between C3 and HLA. C3^F was also significantly increased in 20 chronic renal failure (CRF) patients as compared to 196 controls; this would support the existence of functional differences between C3^F and C3^S alleles.     

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in Southern Iran: E4 allele in the lowest reported amounts

Background: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) with three major alleles E2, E3 and E4 is one of the critical genes in lipid metabolism. Common apoE alleles are in association with an increase in risk for central nervous and cardiovascular diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, hyperlipoproteinemia and stroke. ApoE3 is known as the most frequent allele in all populations, while association of apoE gene polymorphism with reported diseases have mostly been related to other two major alleles especially apoE4. Objective: To determine of apoE alleles frequencies in Southern Iran and comparison of those frequencies with other populations. Methods: DNA was extracted from the whole blood of 198 healthy unrelated candidates from population of Fars Province, Southern Iran, for apoE genotyping who were checked up by a physician. The frequencies of apoE alleles were compared with other populations by χ² test. Results: The frequencies of E2, E3 and E4 were 0.063, 0.886 and 0.051 respectively. These values were similar to those reported from populations of Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, India, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Sardinia Islands of Italy and two Iranian populations but were different from South of Italy and Caucasians in other Europe regions, American, American-Indian, African, East Asian and Saudi populations (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The frequency of E4 allele as a genetic risk factor for some multifactorial diseases in the population of Southern Iran is in the lowest reported amounts in the world. Iranian population has Caucasoid origin but differs from some Caucasian populations in Europe and America. The results of present study are in agreement with the historical evidences which show admixture of Iranian population with other populations and some studies based on genetic polymorphisms in the population of Southern Iran.     

Haemochromatosis gene mutations in Finns, Swedes and Swedish Saamis

Frequencies of three different mutant haemochromatosis (HFE) alleles (282Tyr, 63Asp and 65Cys) were studied in three northern European populations, i.e. Finns, Swedes and Swedish Saamis. In Finns and Swedes the allele frequencies were within the range found in other populations from northern and western Europe. The Saamis differed from the Swedes with respect to all mutant alleles. Lower frequencies compared to Swedes were found for the 282Tyr (p = 0.0046) and 63Asp (p = 0.034) alleles, whereas the frequency of the 65Cys allele was higher (p = 0.046) in the Saamis. The total distribution of HFE alleles in Saamis showed a highly significant difference from that in Swedes (chi2 = 16.7, 3 d.f., p = 0.0008). These results further underline the genetic uniqueness of the Saamis.