2009/02/06 by Tovi M. Anderson, Bridgett M. vonHoldt, Sophie I. Candille +12 · 10 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Nursing · #melanin and skin pigmentation #Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques #Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1165448
openalex publication_date 2009/02/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Morphological diversity within closely related species is an essential aspect of evolution and adaptation. Mutations in the Melanocortin 1 receptor (Mc1r) gene contribute to pigmentary diversity in natural populations of fish, birds, and many mammals. However, melanism in the gray wolf, Canis lupus, is caused by a different melanocortin pathway component, the K locus, that encodes a beta-defensin protein that acts as an alternative ligand for Mc1r. We show that the melanistic K locus mutation in North American wolves derives from past hybridization with domestic dogs, has risen to high frequency in forested habitats, and exhibits a molecular signature of positive selection. The same mutation also causes melanism in the coyote, Canis latrans, and in Italian gray wolves, and hence our results demonstrate how traits selected in domesticated species can influence the morphological diversity of their wild relatives.