Town Mouse, Country Mouse: adaptation and adaptability in Mus domesticus (M. musculus domesticus)

摘要: The generally accepted idea that the house mouse is a single, world-wide species which owes its success largely to commensalism with man wrong. There are at least five European and two Asian lumped together under name Mus musculus, plus another fourteen in same genus. of western Europe one has been introduced Americas Australasia, as well being domesticated laboratory ‘fancy’ strains; it properly described domesticus. A complication this particular existence chromosomal races involving fusion pairs chromosomes, apparently random. These seem be reproductively isolated from normal (2n = 40) mice. They have southern northern Britain. Genetical studies wild-living mice shown operation powerful natural selection, contrary earlier assumptions most polymorphic variation (especially revealed by electrophoresis) was neutral. effects such selection reduced (but not eliminated) deme structure established populations; social much less rigid than some experiments suggested, because opportunism individual replacing dead or debilitated animals, filling new niches these become available. Virtually every population unique, since tends founded small group animals drawn genetically variable ancestral population. This differentiation allowed workers develop inbred strains characteristic properties; also resulted over 130 sub-species wild caught animals. substantial proportion latter probably arisen instant sub-speciation through founder effect. illustrated Faroe islands, often quoted standard examples extremely rapid evolution. The adaptive properties made an effective pest good animal enabled colonize habitats different Antarctic tundra tropical atolls. ideal for general biological task dissecting traits contribute adaptability; material available diversity local forms characterized genetical varieties maintained laboratory. More known about M. domesticus any other mammal, except possibly man; time ripe fusing work on reproduction, mortality, behaviour information increasingly coming field