‘Dappled’ a new allele at the Mottled locus in the house mouse

Abstract

Dappled, a new completely sex-linked semi-dominant lethal mutation, is described. It is probably a new allele at the Mottled locus and has been given the symbol Modp.Heterozygous adult females have a variegated coat very similar to that of Brindled and Mottled females; they have curly vibrissae at birth and some also have clubbed feet. All the characteristics are variable.Hemizygous males die at about 17 days' gestation; they show a characteristic bending and thickening of the ribs and other skeletal defects. The cause of death is unknown.