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The genetic basis of adaptive melanism in pocket mice.

ABSTRACT: Identifying the genes underlying adaptation is a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Here, we describe the molecular changes underlying adaptive coat color variation in a natural population of rock pocket mice, Chaetodipus intermedius. Rock pocket mice are generally light-colored and live on light-colored rocks. However, populations of dark (melanic) mice are found on dark lava, and this concealing coloration provides protection from avian and mammalian predators. We conducted association studies by using markers in candidate pigmentation genes and discovered four mutations in the melanocortin-1-receptor gene, Mc1r, that seem to be responsible for adaptive melanism in one population of lava-dwelling pocket mice. Interestingly, another melanic population of these mice on a different lava flow shows no association with Mc1r mutations, indicating that adaptive dark color has evolved independently in this species through changes at different genes.

SUBMITTER: Nachman MW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC154334 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The genetic basis of adaptive melanism in pocket mice.

Nachman Michael W MW Hoekstra Hopi E HE D'Agostino Susan L SL

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20030418 9

Identifying the genes underlying adaptation is a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Here, we describe the molecular changes underlying adaptive coat color variation in a natural population of rock pocket mice, Chaetodipus intermedius. Rock pocket mice are generally light-colored and live on light-colored rocks. However, populations of dark (melanic) mice are found on dark lava, and this concealing coloration provides protection from avian and mammalian predators. We conducted association s ...[more]

PMID: 12704245

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