STUDIES OF NATURAL POPULATIONS OF MUS. V. A SURVEY OF NINE LOCI FOR POLYMORPHISMS

Abstract

An examination of house mice (Mus musculus) from a number of sites in southwestern Ontario revealed six loci (Hbb, Es-2, Es-3, Es-5, Ldr-1 and A) to be polymorphic and three (Es-1, Pro-1 and Trf-1) to be monomorphic. A comparison of the Ontario samples with samples from southeastern Michigan suggests that the polymorphisms detected are common to Mus populations in both regions and are relatively stable. Data reported by other investigators suggest that some of these polymorphisms have a broad geographic distribution. Also discussed are findings of loci described elsewhere. Two of these T and Ea-1, are polymorphic in some of the populations under consideration. General conclusions include: (1) that polymorphic loci are probably as frequent in mouse populations as in Drosophila and man; (2) that the polymorphisms observed are relatively stable and widespread; (3) that some of the alleles responsible for the polymorphisms observed are not neutral; and (4) that additional data are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the polymorphisms observed.