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Rapid morphological and genetic change in Chicago-area Peromyscus
Oliver R W Pergams1, Robert C Lacy
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607 USA. pergams@uic.edu
Molecular Ecology
|September 26, 2007
Summary
Genetic and morphological changes in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in Chicago indicate rapid population replacement. Environmental changes likely facilitated the influx of new genotypes, driving local adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Population Genetics
- Mammalogy
Background:
- White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) are common in North America.
- Urban environments can drive rapid evolutionary changes in animal populations.
- Understanding local adaptation is crucial for conservation in human-impacted landscapes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate genetic and morphological changes in Chicago-area white-footed mice over time.
- To determine if observed genetic shifts correlate with morphological alterations.
- To explore the role of population replacement in local adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (COX2 and D-loop control region) from museum specimens and recently trapped mice.
- Comparative analysis of 15 external and cranial morphological traits.
- Statistical analyses including discriminant function and principal components analysis.
Main Results:
- Consistent directional genotype replacement was observed at multiple collection sites.
- Complete replacement of mitochondrial D-loop haplotypes occurred between 1976 and 2001.
- Significant morphological changes were detected in recent mice compared to earlier samples, including increased body length and altered skull dimensions.
Conclusions:
- Rapid genetic and morphological changes in white-footed mice suggest population replacement by immigrants from distinct neighboring populations.
- Environmental changes likely facilitated this replacement, driving the evolution of locally adaptive traits.
- Population replacement may be a significant mechanism for local adaptation in human-impacted environments.
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