Abstract
The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I is a highly variable gene family that encodes cell-surface receptors vital for recognition of intracellular pathogens and initiation of immune responses. The MHC class I has yet to be characterised in bufonid toads (Order: Anura; Suborder: Neobatrachia; Family: Bufonidae), a large and diverse family of anurans. Here we describe the characterisation of a classical MHC class I gene in the Australian cane toad, Rhinella marina. From 25 individuals sampled from the Australian population, we found only 3 alleles at this classical class I locus. We also found large number of class I alpha 1 alleles, implying an expansion of class I loci in this species. The low classical class I genetic diversity is likely the result of repeated bottleneck events, which arose as a result of the cane toad's complex history of introductions as a biocontrol agent and its subsequent invasion across Australia.
Highlights
The cane toad (Rhinella marina, formerly Bufo marinus) is a large, toxic anuran native to Mexico, Central and tropical South America, and the island of Trinidad [1]
Partial sequences obtained from five plasmids yielded identical sequences with significant similarity to amphibian Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I using tblastx
The cane toad MHC transcript (Genbank accession: KC295548) was aligned to MHC class I genes of other anuran species (X. laevis MHC class I haplotype g: AF188579; haplotype f: AF188580; haplotype r: AF188582 and haplotype j: AF188586; R. pipiens MHC class I clone R6: AF185587 and R9: AF185588)
Summary
The cane toad (Rhinella marina, formerly Bufo marinus) is a large, toxic anuran native to Mexico, Central and tropical South America, and the island of Trinidad [1]. The family Bufonidae is large and widespread, including 485 species of 35 genera, with representative species naturally occurring on all continents, except Australasia and Antarctica [2]. During the 1930s, the cane toad was a popular biological control agent for invertebrate agricultural pests and was introduced to numerous countries including Australia [1]. One hundred and one individuals were introduced in 1935 and bred for distribution to agricultural districts of northeastern Australia [1]. They quickly became well established and began invading into northern and eastern Australia [1]. The cane toad population in Australia currently covers more than 1 million square kilometres and continues to spread [3]
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