Mammalian melanism: natural selection in black and white

摘要: Two recent papers on the molecular basis of melanism strengthen chain evidence linking genotype and phenotype in nature. Research coat colour polymorphisms rock pocket mice from differently coloured substrates provides a compelling example genetics adaptation serendipitous nature darwinian selection. Mutations one gene, melanocortin-1-receptor, are perfectly associated with dark black lava. Comparative sequence analysis shows that same gene is involved melanic polymorphism some cats.