Skip to comments.
Wolves Black Color Tied to Gene Mutation in Dogs
nytimes ^
| February 5, 2009
Posted on 02/05/2009 2:25:31 PM PST by JoeProBono
In a bit of genetic sleuthing, a team of researchers has determined that black wolves and coyotes in North America got their distinctive color from dogs that carried a gene mutation to the New World. The finding presents a rare instance in which a genetic mutation from a domesticated animal has benefited wild animals by enriching their genetic legacy, the scientists write in Thursdays Science Express, the online edition of the journal Science. Since black wolves are more common in forested areas than on the tundra, the researchers concluded that melanism the pigmentation that came from the mutation must give those animals an adaptive advantage.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
TOPICS: Pets/Animals; Science
KEYWORDS: dogs; godsgravesglyphs; wolves
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-29 last
To: goat granny
21
posted on
02/05/2009 3:45:51 PM PST
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: JoeProBono
Awfully nice of the pug to give the wolf the chance to run away like that.
22
posted on
02/05/2009 4:15:36 PM PST
by
mamelukesabre
(Give me Liberty or give me something to aim at)
To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...
23
posted on
02/05/2009 4:36:14 PM PST
by
SunkenCiv
(https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/____________________ Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Whoops! Thanks Ernest_at_the_Beach!
24
posted on
02/05/2009 4:37:27 PM PST
by
SunkenCiv
(https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/____________________ Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
To: JoeProBono
Great pictures JoePro. My computer down loads pictures slowly and I apologize for not giving you first credit on that pic. Your other wolf pic's are super. That animal is a favorite of mine. The little box with the little red X is empty..:O)
I do hate raccoons tho
To: Ernest_at_the_Beach; george76; SunkenCiv
It's amazing this environmentalist fascination with wolves.....and bears....and coyotes...and cougars has gotten to the level of a national passion.
The enviros and PETA crowd ought to spend more time out in the natural world they're trying to recreate so we can review more stories of interactions from the wild kingdom's unofficial organization PETE (Predators Eating Tasty Environmentalists).
26
posted on
02/05/2009 7:13:13 PM PST
by
BIGLOOK
(Keelhaul Congress! It's the sensible solution to restore Command to the People.)
To: JoeProBono

WOLF: "Awwe....No point in eating it. I'd just be hungry again in an hour. (Dang-ol Chinese food, anyhow.)"
27
posted on
02/05/2009 9:11:00 PM PST
by
DoorGunner
( "...and so, all Israel will be saved.")
To: JoeProBono
I love this area of research and wonder if they had sampled all the necessary populations of wolves before concluding the black came from domestic dogs. Species in Genus canis will hybridize and I'd guess that produces some strange gene flow.
I've downloaded the paper and I'm sure that will make for some interesting reading.
28
posted on
02/05/2009 9:25:50 PM PST
by
Varda
To: Varda
29
posted on
02/06/2009 5:14:57 AM PST
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-29 last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson