Snell's waltzer, a new mutation affecting behaviour and the inner ear in the mouse

Abstract

A new recessive gene affecting behaviour and the inner ear in the mouse has been discovered. It was named Snell's waltzer, and assigned the symbol sv. It is in linkage group II, about two map units from short ear (se) on the side opposite to that of luxoid (lu). The behaviour of sv/sv mice closely resembles that of other members of the shaker-waltzer group. The abnormalities of the inner ear consist in degeneration of certain parts following normal morphogenesis. The entire neuro-epithelium —that is, the organ of Corti, the two maculae and the three cristae—is affected, and this feature distinguishes it from other degenerative type mutants of this group.