Interpopulational variation of blood proteins in pika (Ochotona princeps saxatilis)

Authors

John T. Brunson, State University of New York, Oswego, New York
Richard N. Seaman, Sinclair Research Farm, University of Missouri, Columbia
Donald J. Nash, Colorado State University, Fort Collins

Abstract

Studies were undertaken to examine the degree of divergence in four populations of pika in Colorado. Separation of blood proteins was accomplished utilizing acrylamide-gel disc electrophoresis. Separate analyses of variance were carried out for the relative mobilities of two of the transferrins (designated RMβ₁ and RMβ₂), the mean relative distance difference of the two transferrins (DM), and the density of the most prominent albumin (α₁) and transferrin (β₂) bands. Although the four populations were characterized by a general similarity of the gel patterns, both interpopulational and sexual variations were observed. Variations between the sexes had to do with the amounts of protein, not with differences in protein mobility. The only significant populational differences were found in reference to density and DM. The interpopulational differences may serve as an indicator of populational divergence that has not been indicated by standard morphological characters. The significant patterns of variation observed in the blood proteins of the four populations studied may reflect a lack of gene now between isolated populations.

Recommended Citation

Brunson, John T.; Seaman, Richard N.; and Nash, Donald J. (1977) "Interpopulational variation of blood proteins in pika (Ochotona princeps saxatilis)," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 37: No. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol37/iss1/7