1969/08/22 by Leonard R. Brand, Raymond E. Ryckman · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies #Genetic diversity and population structure #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Peromyscus #Subspecies #Biology #Hybrid #Breed #Zoology #Heterosis #Genetics #Botany
paper · doi:10.2307/1378777
openalex publication_date 1969/08/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
The taxonomic relationship of Peromyscus eremicus, P. guardia, and P. interparietalis was investigated, using hybridization, morphological characters, and blood serum protein electrophoresis. Under laboratory conditions P. interparietalis ryckmani and P. eremicus bred readily, but P. guardia guardia did not breed. Peromyscus interparietalis ryckmani and P. eremicus hybridized freely, producing fertile hybrids, and P. guardia guardia and P. interparietalis ryckmani produced two litters of hybrids. The interparietalis X eremicus hybrid sex ratio was abnormal—19 males and seven females. Peromyscus interparietalis ryckmani and P. eremicus are morphologically distinct, and the hybrids between these populations are morphologically distinguishable from both parental populations, and exhibit heterosis. Blood serum proteins of eremicus, two subspecies of guardia, three subspecies of interparietalis, and hybrids between eremicus and P. interparietalis ryckmani were analyzed by cellulose acetate strip electrophoresis. The protein patterns showed consistent interpopulation differences which tend to support current interpretations of the taxonomy of this group. Serum protein data appear to indicate a closer relationship between eremicus and interparietalis than is suggested by morphological characteristics. Even though eremicus, guardia, and interparietalis are morphologically distinct, they have not diverged sufficiently to have developed mechanisms of intersterility.