More info on black squirrels for the interested. Others should hit
DELETE right now

Bonsai Bonsai Bonsai!

Anita

Jim - the black or melanistic phase of the eastern grey squirrel is
the result of a genetic mutation, yes, but probably Dominant rather
than recessive. In domestic mice, chickens, and a tropical bird (the
bananaquit), the melanistic phase has been shown to be due to a
dominant mutation in the gene for melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), a
regulator of melanin synthesis (see Curr Biol 2001 Apr
17;11(8):550-7). I don't think anyone has done the squirrels yet, or
at least it's not published.

The larger numbers of black phase squirrels in the North (naturally
occuring, not including "imports" like KSU's) seem to be related to a
warmth-retaining advantage in cold climes.

"Studies have shown that black animals have 18% lower heat loss in
temperatures below -10 degrees Celcius, along wth a 20% lower basal
metabolic rate, and a nonshivering thermogenesis capacity 11% higher
than grey morphs."
(from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.ed...._carolinensis$narrative.html)

Dale - "folklore" not withstanding, the KSU black squirrels were
brought down in 1961 from Canada (where they're relatively common) in
a well-documented incident. Not from Africa, sorry, as far as anyone
knows. Same species as the grey, though we may be seeing the
beginnings of the evolution of a new species here, since they don't
interbreed much with the greys. wait a few (human) generations and see...

from the KSU website:
"Ten rare black squirrels were imported from Canada in February 1961
by Larry Woodell, superintendent of grounds, and M. W. Staples, a
retired executive of
the Davey Tree Expert Company. When first released, the large,
black-spiked squirrels were frequently mistaken for skunks. Today they
own the campus. The
Black Squirrel Festival started in 1981 as a day-long event held on
the Student Center Plaza to introduce new students to campus and
community organizations."

So *your* black squirrels are no different from, say, the population
on the NIH campus in Washington DC. Say, what is it about black
squirrels and academia anyway? Are we just less likely to shoot the
tree-rats, or what?

dalecochoy wrote:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Lewis"
Subject: [IBC] evil squirrels!

I haven't been following this thread but it's my understanding
that the
black eastern squirrel is just a grey squirrel in a different
color
phase..... the farther south one goes the less likely the black
color phase
is to occur... I'm not certain if that's recessive gene stuff
or what.


Yes. That's so.
Jim Lewis

No, As Art Krummel stated in a post ( Art lives near me and is in our
local club) OUR black squirrels come from Kent State University directly
about 20 minutes north of me and 10 minutes north of Art). They were
brought here by a research prof. in the late 40's/early 50's from
frica( If I remember the folk lore correct) I believe. and they are slowly
moving their range outward. I rarely see them at my neighborhood but there
are a few. The KSU campus is filled with them. They are a pretty dark
black.
Regards,
Dale Cochoyy

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