Adaptive Coloration in Peromyscus polionotus: Experimental Selection by Owls

Kaufman, Donald W.

doi:10.2307/1378997

Cited by 86 publications

(59 citation statements)

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“…Sumner's intensive sampling, documenting gradual change in pigmentation from coastal to mainland populations, later formed the basis for the first mathematical treatment of clinal variation and estimates of selection (Haldane, 1948). In addition, experimental studies of the adaptive significance of color variation show that substrate matching has a strong effect on predation rates by visual avian hunters (Dice, 1947;Kaufman, 1974). Adaptive substrate matching is not limited to mammals.…”

Section: Evolution: Natural Variation In Pigmentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetics, development and evolution of adaptive pigmentation in vertebrates

2006

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The study of pigmentation has played an important role in the intersection of evolution, genetics, and developmental biology. Pigmentation's utility as a visible phenotypic marker has resulted in over 100 years of intense study of coat color mutations in laboratory mice, thereby creating an impressive list of candidate genes and an understanding of the developmental mechanisms responsible for the phenotypic effects. Variation in color and pigment patterning has also served as the focus of many classic studies of naturally occurring phenotypic variation in a wide variety of vertebrates, providing some of the most compelling cases for parallel and convergent evolution. Thus, the pigmentation model system holds much promise for understanding the nature of adaptation by linking genetic changes to variation in fitness-related traits. Here, I first discuss the historical role of pigmentation in genetics, development and evolutionary biology. I then discuss recent empirically based studies in vertebrates, which rely on these historical foundations to make connections between genotype and phenotype for ecologically important pigmentation traits. These studies provide insight into the evolutionary process by uncovering the genetic basis of adaptive traits and addressing such longstanding questions in evolutionary biology as (1) are adaptive changes predominantly caused by mutations in regulatory regions or coding regions? (2) is adaptation driven by the fixation of dominant mutations? and (3) to what extent are parallel phenotypic changes caused by similar genetic changes? It is clear that coloration has much to teach us about the molecular basis of organismal diversity, adaptation and the evolutionary process.

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Section: Evolution: Natural Variation In Pigmentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetics, development and evolution of adaptive pigmentation in vertebrates

2006

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“…Decades of research focused on natural history, ecology, and behavior have revealed the function of color patterns in a wide range of animals (Cott, 1940;Edmunds, 1974;Endler, 1978;Jones et al, 1977;Kaufman, 1974;Kettelwell, 1956). One aspect of animal coloration that remains largely unresolved, however, is the actual genetic material responsible for evolutionary changethe 'thread' in nature's tapestry.…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling the thread of nature’s tapestry: the genetics of diversity and convergence in animal pigmentation

Kronforst

Barsh

Kopp

et al. 2012

Pigment Cell Melanoma Res

124

131

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SummaryAnimals display incredibly diverse color patterns yet little is known about the underlying genetic basis of these phenotypes. However, emerging results are reshaping our view of how the process of phenotypic evolution occurs. Here, we outline recent research from three particularly active areas of investigation: melanin pigmentation in Drosophila, wing patterning in butterflies, and pigment variation in lizards. For each system, we highlight (i) the function and evolution of color variation, (ii) various approaches that have been used to explore the genetic basis of pigment variation, and (iii) conclusions regarding the genetic basis of convergent evolution which have emerged from comparative analyses. Results from these studies indicate that natural variation in pigmentation is a particularly powerful tool to examine the molecular basis of evolution, especially with regard to convergent or parallel evolution. Comparison of these systems also reveals that the molecular basis of convergent evolution is heterogeneous, sometimes involving conserved mechanisms and sometimes not. In the near future, additional work in other emerging systems will substantially expand the scope of available comparisons.

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“…Recent studies have shown correlations between the mc1r alleles and the coat color phenotypes in populations of beach mice. Data from the work of Kaufman (1974) on owl hunting of mice in different backgrounds, correlations of background "brightness" and fur color (Belk and Smith 1996) and predation studies of Peromyscus (Vignieri et al 2010) are included in this case. These studies provided basic information for the development of a game, where light or dark mice live on either a light or dark background and are subjected to predation.…”

Section: The Four Casesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrative cases for teaching evolution

et al. 2013

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Current university-level evolution instruction often suffers from a disjointed curriculum that separates molecular and ecological processes, at times omitting the former altogether. At the same time, national reform efforts call for the principles of evolution to be taught across the curriculum. We met this challenge by developing four cases (Mouse Fur Color, Pea Taste, Monkey Opsins and Clam Toxin) that present an integrated, comprehensive approach to teaching evolution across biological sub-disciplines. Our intent was to provide materials that post-secondary instructors could use to bolster their content knowledge and adapt for their students as they endeavor to configure their teaching to meet Vision and Change challenges. The material in any given case can be used to support the teaching of evolution across the curriculum, whether within a single introductory or advanced course, or more comprehensively across several courses. The cases are presented in a way that will allow instructors to quickly see how to apply this approach.

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Adaptive Coloration in Peromyscus polionotus: Experimental Selection by Owls

Cited by 86 publications

References 0 publications

Genetics, development and evolution of adaptive pigmentation in vertebrates

Genetics, development and evolution of adaptive pigmentation in vertebrates

Unraveling the thread of nature’s tapestry: the genetics of diversity and convergence in animal pigmentation

Integrative cases for teaching evolution

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