Article
Molecular and evolutionary history of melanism in North American gray wolves.
Science (New York, N.Y.) - 6 Mar 2009
Anderson Tovi M, vonHoldt Bridgett M, Candille Sophie I, Musiani Marco, Greco Claudia, Stahler Daniel R, Smith Douglas W, Padhukasahasram Badri, Randi Ettore, Leonard Jennifer A, Bustamante Carlos D, Ostrander Elaine A, Tang Hua, Wayne Robert K, Barsh Gregory S
Abstract excerpt
Morphological diversity within closely related species is an essential aspect of evolution and adaptation. Mutations in the Melanocortin 1 receptor (Mc1r) gene contribute to pigmentary diversity in natural populations of fish, birds, and many mammals. However, melanism in the gray wolf, Canis lupus, is caused by a different melanocortin pathway component, the K locus, that encodes a beta-defensin protein that...
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