Genetic diversity in the MC1R gene amongst several wild Lagomorpha species. MC1R gene sequence amongst several wild Lagomorpha species

Lagomorpha, which comprises pikas (Ochotonidae), hares and rabbits (Leporidae), is an important order of mammals containing rare and threatened species. A few investigations in lagomorphs analysed coat colour phenotypes and their importance in ecological aspects. Diversity in genes affecting coat colours might provide information on the adaptation of different species to specific ecological niches. In this study we sequenced the MC1R gene in a total of 20 Lagomorpha species (15 Leporidae: Bunolagus monticularis; Pentalagus furnessi; Lepus capensis; Lepus timidus; Lepus europaeus; Lepus saxatilis; Lepus granatensis; Lepus californicus; Lepus brachyurus; Lepus castroviejoi; Lepus townsendii; Sylvilagus floridanus; Sylvilagus nutallii; Oryctolagus cuniculus; Romerolagus diazii; 5 Ochotonidae: Ochotona hyperarborea; Ochotona pusilla; Ochotona macrotis; Ochotona dauurica; Ochotona alpina) to obtain new insights in the evolutionary and adaptative constrains acting on a key gene involved in eumelanin/pheomelanin pigmentation. MC1R is strongly under natural selection in wild populations.