Abstract
Using a database of allozyme studies, correlations in heterozygosity between selected enzyme loci (MDH, αGPDH, IDH, 6PGDH, LDH, SOD, AAT, PGM, EST, PGI) were calculated across vertebrate species. Large and positive correlations were observed with untransformed heterozygosity values. However, after transformation to correct for mean species heterozygosity, correlations were substantially reduced and median values were closer to zero. Some enzymes were more often involved in significant correlations than others, and correlations calculated across species within vertebrate classes were significant for different enzyme pairs in different classes. There was no evidence that significant correlations occurred primarily between functionally related enzymes. It is suggested that the observed correlations are best explained by variation between enzyme loci in functional constraint and effective neutral mutation rate.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank A. J. Baker, W. S. Grant and J. L. Patton who all provided unpublished data for use in this analysis. This research was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council grant no. GR3/6976 to DOFS and RDW.
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Woodwark, M., Skibinski, D. & Ward, R. A study of interlocus allozyme heterozygosity correlations: implications for neutral theory. Heredity 69, 190–198 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1992.113
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1992.113