Extensive genetic polymorphism of peptidases A, B, C, and D, in wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations from the Iberian Peninsula.

Genetic polymorphism of peptidases A, B, C, and D in the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was assessed by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, in a total of 1003 individuals comprising 16 Iberian and 2 French populations and 1 domestic stock. Twenty-five different alleles were detected: 6 in PEPA, 4 in PEPB, 8 in PEPC, and 7 in PEPD. The highest values of observed heterozygosity averaged over the four loci were obtained for the southwestern Iberian populations and a clinal loss of variability in a northeastern direction was detected. A clear separation between the two putative subspecies O. c. cuniculus and O. c. algirus was not obtained.