Evolutionary dynamics of transferrin in Notropis.

This study reports on the development of comparative data for the transferrin (TF) gene in cyprinid fishes, focusing on the genus Notropis. While previous studies have suggested varied patterns of adaptation influencing the diversity at this gene locus both within and among species, sequence data for (TF) in Notropis exhibit limited evidence for selection. However, there are significant effects of sequence variation associated with Notropis lutipinnis, suggesting some form of diversifying selection acting among populations of this species. Overall, the gene performs well as a second locus for phylogenetic and biogeographic inference and may help improve description of the pattern and the process of diversification in Notropis.