New genetic variation in European hares, Lepus granatensis and L. europaeus

Six genetic polymorphisms for the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) and four for the brown hare (L. europaeus) are newly described. The genetic variation of peptidases B (PEPB) and C (PEPC), hemoglobin alpha chain (HBA), hemopexin (HPX), vitamin D binding protein (GC), and properdin factor B (BF) was assessed by conventional electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing in carrier ampholytes and hybrid pH gradients. Six alleles were detected in PEPB, three in PEPC, four in HBA, six in GC, five in HPX, and six in BF. At least one allele was shared between species at all loci except HBA. The allelic overlap between the two species was medium to high in PEPB, GC, and HPX and small in PEPC and BF.