Genetic polymorphism of C3 in Papio and Macaca species

C3 phenotypes were examined in species of Papio and Macaca. Baboons (P. cynocephalus) showed extensive polymorphism, with estimated gene frequencies of 0.815, 0.174, and 0.011 for C3*S, C3*F, and C3*F1 alleles, respectively. Clear segregation patterns showing codominant inheritance were evident in family studies. Such extensive polymorphism was not observed in M. nemestrina or M. fascicularis. The S gene is the most common allele in all the species studied. The F gene is relatively common in baboons.