Micro-evolutionary divergence patterns of mandible shapes in wild house mouse (Mus musculus) populations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Insights into the micro-evolutionary patterns of morphological traits require an assessment of the natural variation of the trait within and between populations and closely related species. The mouse mandible is a particularly suitable morphological trait for such an analysis, since it has long been used as a model to study the quantitative genetics of shape. In addition, many distinct populations, sub-species and closely related species are known for the house mouse. However, morphological comparisons among wild caught animals require an assessment in how far environmental and technical factors could interfere with the shape change measurements.

Results

Using geometric morphometrics, we have surveyed mandible shapes in 15 natural populations of the genus Mus, wit

SUBMITTER: Boell L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3213108 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature