Field observation of the interaction of the precocial young of the agouti (Dasyprocta punctata, a Neotropical rodent) with their dam suggests a number of adaptive functions of mother-young interaction not readily observed in either the species or situations normally employed in laboratory studies of maternal behavior. The presence of the agouti mother in the vicinity of the nest site provides p...

Little is known about the genetic basis of ecologically important morphological variation such as the diverse color patterns of mammals. Here we identify genetic changes contributing to an adaptive difference in color pattern between two subspecies of oldfield mice (Peromyscus polionotus). One mainland subspecies has a cryptic dark brown dorsal coat, while a younger beach-dwelling subspecies ha...

Recombinant inbred strain and interspecific backcross mice were used to create a molecular genetic linkage map of the distal portion of mouse chromosome 2. The orientation and distance of the Ada, Emv-13, Emv-15, Hck-1, Il-1a, Pck-1, Psp, Src-1 and Svp-1 loci from the beta 2-microglobulin locus and the agouti locus were established. Our mapping results have provided the identification of molecu...

Little is known about the genetic basis of ecologically important morphological variation such as the diverse color patterns of mammals. Here we identify genetic changes contributing to an adaptive difference in color pattern between two subspecies of oldfield mice (Peromyscus polionotus). One mainland subspecies has a cryptic dark brown dorsal coat, while a younger beach-dwelling subspecies ha...

DICE (1947) demonstrated selection against conspicuous phenotypes of mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) by owls. His experiments were conducted in a laboratory room with either a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) or a Long-eared Owl (Asio wilsonianus) as predators. Vegetation was simulated by a latticework of boards. Subsequently Kaufman (1974) found that Barn Owls and Screech Owls (Otus asio) selected against c...

Sash (Wsh), a viable and fully fertile allele of the dominant spotting (W) locus (Lyon & Glenister, 1982) has been used in a modified test system to investigate the site of gene expression at the pink-eyed dilution (p) locus. Reciprocal recombinant epidermal@dermal skin grafts were constructed from 13-day embryonic skin of p and Wsh homozygotes. Thus in the reciprocal experiments pink-eyed dilu...

In conjunction with establishing colonies of deer mice in the UK, effects of transportation on reproduction in agouti (A) and nonagouti (a) deer mice were assessed. Adults were shipped via ground courier and air freight from Northampton, Massachusetts, USA to Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, England in February and June. Deer mice were paired upon arrival in Sutton Bonington, whereas matched c...

The interaction between two genes, Agouti and Melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r), produces diverse pigment patterns in mammals by regulating the type, amount, and distribution pattern of the two pigment types found in mammalian hair: eumelanin (brown/black) and pheomelanin (yellow/red). In domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), there is a tremendous variation in coat color patterns between and within br...

melanocortin- 4 receptor (mc4r) and agouti- related peptide (agrp) are involved in energy homeostasis in rats. according to mc4r and agrp effects on luteinizing hormone (lh) secretion, they may influence the estrous cycle of rats. therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of mc4r and agrp mrnas at different stages of estrous cycle in the rat’s hypothalamus. the estrous ...