Heterozygosity and gene flow in populations of Calomys laucha (Rodentia, Cricetidae).

Enzyme polymorphism was studied by means of starch gel electrophoresis on five population samples of Calomys laucha collected in different sites and seasons. C. laucha, a cricetid rodent inhabiting preferentially cultivated fields in the central-eastern plains of Argentina, is a reservoir-host of Junin virus, agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Results show high levels of genic variability in all the samples (P from 62.50 to 77.27; H from 0.118 to 0.163) and low genetic distance among populations (D from 0.0024 to 0.0167). Estimations of gene flow (mean Nm = 10.78) indicate a high migration capability of the species and the possibility of further dispersal of Junin virus.