Inheritance of male hybrid sterility in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus, Insectivora, Soricidae)

Abstract

Two geographic races of the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus) were crossed and intercrossed in the laboratory. Many cases of male sterility were detected among the hybrids. Segregation analysis of the pedigree data showed that the inheritance of male sterility in interracial hybrids of S. murinus can be described within the framework of monogene polyallele model with sterility of a single allele combination. This model is similar if not identical to that proposed by Dobzhansky and Muller.Key words: hybrid sterility, segregation analysis, spermatogenesis, shrew, Suncus murinus.