Current Event 1 Quarter 3

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.