GENETIC-HETEROGENEITY IN THE INDIAN MUS MUSCULUS

This study deals with the characterization of 10 populations of M. mus culus from different geographical locations in India. The genetics of Indian wild mice has been completely obscure and this is the first rep ort on allozyme variations in the natural population. We have used a s et of 24 biochemical genetic markers to measure levels of diversity wi thin and among populations, The allelic frequency data indicate extrem e genetic variability which is further enhanced by the presence of nov el alleles, Overall the species shows a high level of heterogenity. Th e highly polymorphic central populations of M. musculus cannot be assi gned to any one particular subspecies. The allelic profiles, however i ndicate a gradual differentiation toward the castaneus and batcrianus subspecies lineages.