Environmental genetics Rapid chromosomal evolution in island mice

Madeira is a small volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean with steep mountains separating narrow valleys that are the only areas habitable by humans and their commensals. Here we show that house mice (Mus musculus domesticus ) on Madeira have an unexpected chromosomal diversity, the evolution of whic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 2000-01, Vol.403 (6766), p.158-158
Main Authors: Britton-Davidian, Janice, Catalan, Josette, da Graça Ramalhinho, Maria, Ganem, Guila, Auffray, Jean-Christophe, Capela, Ruben, Biscoito, Manuel, Searle, Jeremy B, da Luz Mathias, Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chromosomes
Evolution
Genetic drift
Genetics
Islands
Mountains
Neuropsychology
Volcanic islands
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Summary:Madeira is a small volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean with steep mountains separating narrow valleys that are the only areas habitable by humans and their commensals. Here we show that house mice (Mus musculus domesticus ) on Madeira have an unexpected chromosomal diversity, the evolution of which is independent of adaptive processes, relying instead on geographic isolation and genetic drift.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/35003116