Biosystematic analysis of genus Rattus (Rodentia: Murinae) in Iran using total proteins of plasma and esterase-1

Abstract

Genus Rattus from the subfamily Murinae has a wide geographical distribution <br><br>throughout the world. Three species of this genus have been reported in Iran so far. They <br><br>are Norway or brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ), black rat (Rattus rattus), and Himalayan rat <br><br>(Rattus pyctoris). In order to verify the possibility of using electrophoretic patterns of <br><br>special proteins, in biosystematic analysis of these species, total proteins of plasma <br><br>(globulins and albumin) and esterse-1 of nine specimens belonging to three species of <br><br>Rattus, from five populations were analyzed by native-PAGE (native polyacrylamide gel <br><br>electrophoresis). Electrophoretic patterns of globulins, albumin, an d esterase-1 alleles <br><br>were different in these species and an un known species was distinguished by this <br><br>technique. Also, brown rats from Tehran and Mashhad were discriminated by these <br><br>methods.