B 96, a seventh allele at the rabbit kappa chain b locus

A previously undetected allotypic specificity, A96, was observed in the wild rabbit population of Zembra (Tunisia). The A96 allotype is inherited as a b allotype, and its antigenic determinants are located on the kappa light chains of immunoglobulins. Although cross-reacting with b6, the A96 allotype carries its own allotypic determinants, and is therefore distinct form the known allotypes of the b series (b4, b5, b6, b9, b4var and b95). The data indicate that A96 is encoded by an allele at the b locus, tentatively designated b 96.