Genes that affect morphogenesis of the murine mandible: recombinant-inbred strain analysis

The CXB set of recombinant inbred mouse strains provided an opportunity to observe the effects of reassorted subsets of genes on the shape of the mandible. The distances between 12 landmarks in all paired combinations were calculated to evaluate genetic control in small regions. The genetic relationships between interlandmark distances revealed genes to have most of their effects in localized regions, and the greater heritabilities usually to apply to those distances between adjacent landmarks. Interrelationships between measurements are usually explicable on a developmental basis. It is proposed that genes of this sort bring about the changes seen in organ shape during evolution. A model plan for the organization of gene activation during morphogenesis is described.