Coat color genetics of Peromyscus: V. California blonde, a new recessive mutation in the deer mouse

Abstract

California blonde is a coat color mutation in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) discovered among descendants of wild-type animals collected on Santa Cruz Island, California. The phenotype is produced by the presence of brown, rather than black, eumelanin in the pelage and skin. Retinal pigmentation is also reduced. The condition is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. The California blonde gene is nonallelic with the brown (b), blonde (bln), and platinum (plt) mutant genes in this species. California blonde represents a newly detected genetic locus in the deer mouse. The symbol cfb is provisionally as signed for this genetic locus.