Evolution in inbred strains of mice appears rapid.
Genetic variation at 97 loci in ten commonly used inbred strains of mice is greatly in excess of that expected under current assumptions. Evidence against all of the readily apparent explanations is presented and the possibility of early selection for heterozygosity or of conversion is suggested. The common ancestor of these strains is estimated to have occurred about 150 years ago.
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006579:Heterozygote; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors