Petra 7A
Science
Mrs. M.
http://www.cbc.ca/video/news/audioplayer.html?clipid=2329176123
http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/episode/2013/01/26/january-26-2013/#3
3/14/2013
In Newfoundland, Canada, something odd was found. A coyote
roaming the countryside was reported to have a completely white pelt! On top of
that, it was found that the coyote was not albino. It was found that this
coyote had a gene mutation that is also found in golden retrievers and other
red or gold dogs. The mutation shuts off the production of one pigment, namely
the dark colour, and that makes the production of another pigment, namely gold
or red. That is the case with golden retrievers. With these white coyotes, it
seems that the other pigments did not get produced, so what was left was a
white coyote. It turns out that this new ‘species’ appeared some time after a
coyote and a golden retriever disappeared together during mating season.
Scientists believe this is the reason of the white coyote.