Rock Pocket Mouse Evolution
Welcome to the Valley of Fire, NM: Home of the Rock Pocket Mouse
This is one location that scientists are studying the evolution of an organism called the Rock Pocket Mouse. Check out the satellite view and zoom out to see the lava flow that occurred about 1,000 years ago. The dark rock is where we are exploring the evolution by natural selection.
Evolution
A change in the genetic composition of a population over successive generations.
Natural Selection
A process in nature through which living organisms adapt and change in response to an environmental condition.
DNA:
DNA is a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
Genes:
A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Genes are made up of DNA. Some genes act as instructions to make molecules called proteins. However, many genes do not code for proteins.
Mutation:
The changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion, or rearrangement of larger sections of genes or chromosomes.
Predators:
An animal that naturally preys on others.
Check out these images:
Scientists are studying the Rock Pocket Mouse (RPM) because it is a GREAT example of an organism that is evolving due to natural selection in a relatively short time. In just 1,000 years, this mouse has evolved to have a different fur color. The mutation is found in the Mc1r gene, and it changes the fur color from tan to black. On the dark lava flow background, this is a great adaptation for surviving the predators!
Now, we see most of the mice on the lava flow having the mutation for black fur color.
Predators of the Rock Pocket Mouse
Hawk
Snake
Owl
Coyote