The house mouse chromosomal hybrid zone in Valtellina (SO): a summary of past and present research

摘要: Karyotypic variation due to the centric (Robertsonian: Rb) fusion of chromosomes is a widespread phenomenon among small mammal species. In 1993, we described house mouse chro- mosomal hybrid zone in Upper Valtellina (SO). Here, found mice with 32 different karyotypes, in- cluding standard, or all-acrocentric race (2n=40), four Rb races (2n=22-26) and 27 types (2n=23-39). This presents unique opportunity study role fusions speciation. We have been studying this dynamic system using wide variety techniques: karyology, histology, breeding, mark-recapture DNA sequencing. All appear be closely related, but 40AA has probably introduced recently into valley. However, fertil- ity laboratory-reared hybrids between several these (24UV, 26POS, 40AA) are lower than expected compared homozygotes previous studies. Effective subpopulation size migration rates within villages also relatively low. discuss use parameters process speciation ongoing computer simulations.