Genetic mechanisms controlling the domestication of a wild house mouse population (Mus musculus L.).

Abstract

A controlled reenactment of the domestication process provided information on the relative effects of natural selection, inbreeding, and habitat upon an originally wild house-mouse population. Effects were assessed in 2 experiments by testing offspring that were bred under either laboratory or simulated natural conditions, systematically inbred or outbred, and postnatally fostered in laboratory or simulated natural habitats. Ss were a total of 100 male laboratory C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, and A/J mice, and 372 mice descended from wild mice. 10 generations of domestication failed to reveal any behavioral differences due to either natural selection or habitat on 9 different behavioral tests. Inbreeding strongly reduced intermale aggression, partially reduced resistance to recapture by humans, and failed to affect any of the 7 other behaviors. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)