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The development of genetic resistance to myxomatosis in wild rabbits in Britain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

J. Ross  and
M. F. Sanders
J. Ross
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Agricultural Science Service, Worplesdon Laboratory, Tangley Place, Worplesdon, Guildford Surrey GU3 3LQ
M. F. Sanders
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Agricultural Science Service, Worplesdon Laboratory, Tangley Place, Worplesdon, Guildford Surrey GU3 3LQ
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Summary

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The presence of genetic resistance to myxomatosis in a sample of wild rabbits from one area in England was reported in 1977. Rabbits from three other areas in Great Britain have been tested subsequently, and all cases showed similar resistance to a moderately virulent strain of myxoma virus. Rabbits from one area also showed a significant degree of resistance to a fully virulent strain of virus.

It is concluded that genetic resistance to myxomatosis is widespread in wild rabbit populations in Britain. The implications of the results are discussed in relation to the co-evolution of the disease and its host.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 92 , Issue 3 , June 1984 , pp. 255 - 261
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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