Genetic selection for reproductive photoresponsiveness in deer mice.

摘要: Seasonal breeding is common in mammals, particularly habitats outside the tropics. Climate and availability of food are ultimate factors that usually dictate optimal time year for a mammal to breed; however, day length (photoperiod) often serves as proximal cue signal onset or cessation seasonal reproduction. Some individuals some populations deer mice reproductively responsive photoperiod, while other same population not. As shown here, selection can dramatically alter frequency photoresponsiveness laboratory only two generations. To our knowledge this first demonstration reproductive any mammal. By implication, wild must use multiple, genetic-based strategies, degree which each such strategy exhibited be subject rapid change response both seasonally momentarily changing climatic dietary conditions.