Studies On Systematics And BLB Gene Polymorphism Of The Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes Bonasia)

The hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) is the most widely distributed and the most common species of Tetraonidae. The taxonomic status of hazel grouse has been controversial. So far it has not been reported that the special research of systematics of hazel grouse at the molecular level. Because of its delicious meat and decreasing population, The hazel grouse has been listed as a second class protected animal in China. But its domestication and captive breeding has some problems, such as low reproductive rate, survival rate and disease susceptibility. MHC genes have a significaticant correlation with disbease resistance and fertility. Therefore, it is necessary and feasible to do researches on BLB genes polymorphism of hazel grouse.The research firstly obtained COI sequences from hazel grouse and black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), downloaded12S rRNA, Cytb and ND2sequences of17species and COI sequences of13species in Tetraonidae from Genbank, and analyzed taxonomic status of hazel grouse at molecular level through single gene sequences and integrated sequences from multigenes. Then, exon2of BLB genes in33samples of hazel grouse were amplified, sequenced by cloning sequencing method and analyzed by biological softwares. The results are as follows:1. Based on the phylogenetic analysis from12S rRNA, Cytb and COI gene sequences and integrated sequences of four genes, the results indicate that the hazel grouse belongs to the genus Tetrastes in Tetraonidae, i.e., the genus Tetrastes is valid.2. Making a comparison between single gene and integrated data, COI gene is more suitable for researching on phylogenetic relationships of Tetraonidae species.3.13allele sequences of BLB gene are obtained from234clone sequences in33individuals of the hazel grouse. The nucleotide mutation analysis shows that mutations are mainly in the transversion. It shows that the ratio of average non-synonymous substitution rate (dn=0.111) and average synonymous substitution rate (ds=0.096) is1.156,>1, positive selection.4. The analysis of genetic diversity of the hazel grouse by BLB exon2sequence shows that the genetic diversity is low and the species has weak disease resistance.5. According to phylogenetic trees, network diagrams and genotypes show that there are at least three BLB loci in the hazel grouse.6. Phylogenetic trees of BLB genes from ten species in Galliformes show that BLB genes of the golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) in Phasianidae and the ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) have more closer evolutionary relationships with BLB of Tetraonidae species. BLB genes of interfamily and intrafamily in Galliformes birds have transspecies evolutionary phenomena.