Abstract
Natural variation in vertebrate color pattern is one of the most conspicuous traits related to fitness. Using genetic and functional analyses in natural populations of Peromyscus mice, Manceau et al. (p. [1062][1]) uncover the developmental mechanism for the establishment and subsequent evolution of color patterns, which function in camouflage from visual predators. The Agouti protein, known to be involved in pigment-type switching in adult skin, establishes a molecular prepattern during embryonic development to generate the adult color pattern. These changes in the time, place, and level of embryonic expression of Agouti affect adult color pattern and explain the difference in coloration between locally camouflaged mouse populations. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1200684
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
