rock pocket mouse allele and phenotype answer key

Modelling supports the possibility of gene flow between the two species. Evolutionary analyses show that the MC1R∆24 haplotype is more closely related to other MC1R haplotypes in the fox squirrel than in the gray squirrel. The MC1R∆24 allele is also associated with melanism in gray squirrels, and, remarkably, all the MC1R∆24 haplotypes are identical in the two species. In a western population, melanism is associated with a 24 bp deletion in the melanocortin-1-receptor gene ( MC1RΔ24 allele), whereas in a south-eastern population, melanism is associated with a point substitution in the agouti signalling protein gene causing a Gly121Cys mutation. We show that convergent evolution of melanism has arisen by independent genetic mechanisms in two populations of the fox squirrel. carolinensis hereafter “gray squirrels”). Here we investigate the repeated evolution of dark colouration (melanism) in eastern fox squirrels ( Sciurus niger hereafter “fox squirrels”) and eastern gray squirrels ( S. While our understanding of the genetic basis of convergent evolution has improved there are still many uncertainties.

Rock pocket mouse allele and phenotype answer key