Independent evolution toward larger body size in the distinctive Faroe Island mice.

ABSTRACT: Most phenotypic traits in nature involve the collective action of many genes. Traits that evolve repeatedly are particularly useful for understanding how selection may act on changing trait values. In mice, large body size has evolved repeatedly on islands and under artificial selection in the laboratory. Identifying the loci and genes involved in this process may shed light on the evolution of complex, polygenic traits. Here, we have mapped the genetic basis of body size variation by making a genetic cross between mice from the Faroe Islands, which are among the largest and most distinctive natural populations of mice in the world, and a laboratory mouse strain selected for small body size, SM/J. Using this F2 intercross of 841 animals, we have identified 111 loci controlling various aspe

SUBMITTER: Wilches R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8022703 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature