Exploration of the genetic organization of morphological modularity on the mouse mandible using a set of interspecific recombinant congenic strains between C57BL/6 and mice of the Mus spretus species.

ABSTRACT: Morphological integration and modularity within semi-autonomous modules are essential mechanisms for the evolution of morphological traits. However, the genetic makeup responsible for the control of variational modularity is still relatively unknown. In our study, we tested the hypothesis that the genetic variation for mandible shape clustered into two morphogenetic components: the alveolar group and the ascending ramus. We used the mouse as a model system to investigate genetics determinants of mandible shape. To do this, we used a combination of geometric morphometric tools and a set of 18 interspecific recombinant congenic strains (IRCS) derived from the distantly related species, Mus spretus SEG/Pas and Mus musculus C57BL/6. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis comparing mandible mor

SUBMITTER: Burgio G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3464118 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature