DOI: 10.5061/dryad.bn5ct008
title: Data from: Evidence for selection at cytokine loci in a natural population of field voles (Microtus agrestis)

description: Individuals in natural populations are frequently exposed to a wide range
 of pathogens. Given the diverse profile of gene products involved in
 responses to different types of pathogen, this potentially results in
 complex pathogen-specific selection pressures acting on a broad spectrum
 of immune system genes in wild animals. Thus far, studies into the
 evolution of immune genes in natural populations have focused almost
 exclusively on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). However, the
 MHC represents only a fraction of the immune system and there is a need to
 broaden research in wild species to include other immune genes. Here we
 examine the evidence for natural selection in a range of non-MHC genes in
 a natural population of field voles (Microtus agrestis). We concentrate
 primarily on genes encoding cytokines, signaling molecules critical in
 eliciting and mediating immune responses, and identify signatures of
 natural selection acting on several of these genes. In particular, genetic
 diversity within Interleukin 1 beta and Interleukin 2 appears to have been
 maintained through balancing selection. Taken together with previous
 findings that polymorphism within these genes is associated with variation
 in resistance to multiple pathogens, this suggests that pathogen-mediated
 selection may be an important force driving genetic diversity at cytokine
 loci in voles and other natural populations. These results also suggest
 that, along with the MHC, preservation of genetic variation within
 cytokine genes should be a priority for the conservation genetics of
 threatened wildlife populations.
description: Vole
 genotypesSNP genotyping data for
 all animalsIfng
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Il1b
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Il2
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Il5
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Il10
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Il18
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Slc11a1
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Tgfb1
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Tlr2
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Tlr4
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.Tnf
 alignmentSequence alignment files
 for each gene consist of individual field vole sequences and the consensus
 sequence uploaded to GenBank. SNPs are designated using IUPAC ambiguity
 codes.