CHROMOSOME POLYMORPHISM IN INTERBRED SUBSPECIES OF PEROMYSCUS MANICULATUS (DEER MOUSE)

Abstract

Karyotype analyses of eight animals from an interbreeding colony of three subspecies of Peromyscus maniculatus (P.m. gambelli, P.m. rubidus, and P.m. sonoriensis) demonstrated a chromosomal polymorphism, probably due to pericentric inversions involving at least seven chromosomes. This polymorphism may require consideration in the cytogenetic taxonomy of these animals, and may be related to the widespread distribution of deer mice in North America and their apparent adaptability to many different environments.