TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular and evolutionary history of melanism in Norths American gray wolves
AU - Anderson, Tovi M.
AU - vonHoldt, Bridgett Marie
AU - Candille, Sophie I.
AU - Musiani, Marco
AU - Greco, Claudia
AU - Stahler, Daniel R.
AU - Smith, Douglas W.
AU - Padhukasahasram, Badri
AU - Randi, Ettore
AU - Leonard, Jennifer A.
AU - Bustamante, Carlos D.
AU - Ostrander, Elaine A.
AU - Tang, Hua
AU - Wayne, Robert K.
AU - Barsh, Gregory S.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Morphological diversity within closely related species is an essential aspect of evolution and adaptation. Mutations in the Melanocortin 1 receptor (Mc1r) gene contribute to pigmentary diversity in natural populations of fish, birds, and many mammals. However, melanism in the gray wolf, Canis lupus, is caused by a different melanocortin pathway component, the K locus, that encodes a beta-defensin protein that acts as an alternative ligand for Mc1r. We show that the melanistic K locus mutation in North American wolves derives from past hybridization with domestic dogs, has risen to high frequency in forested habitats, and exhibits a molecular signature of positive selection. The same mutation also causes melanism in the coyote, Canis latrans, and in Italian gray wolves, and hence our results demonstrate how traits selected in domesticated species can influence the morphological diversity of their wild relatives.
AB - Morphological diversity within closely related species is an essential aspect of evolution and adaptation. Mutations in the Melanocortin 1 receptor (Mc1r) gene contribute to pigmentary diversity in natural populations of fish, birds, and many mammals. However, melanism in the gray wolf, Canis lupus, is caused by a different melanocortin pathway component, the K locus, that encodes a beta-defensin protein that acts as an alternative ligand for Mc1r. We show that the melanistic K locus mutation in North American wolves derives from past hybridization with domestic dogs, has risen to high frequency in forested habitats, and exhibits a molecular signature of positive selection. The same mutation also causes melanism in the coyote, Canis latrans, and in Italian gray wolves, and hence our results demonstrate how traits selected in domesticated species can influence the morphological diversity of their wild relatives.
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U2 - 10.1126/science.1165448
DO - 10.1126/science.1165448
M3 - Article
C2 - 19197024
AN - SCOPUS:62149151949
SN - 0036-8075
VL - 323
SP - 1339
EP - 1343
JO - Science
JF - Science
IS - 5919
ER -