Genetic variation in haemoglobin alters breathing in high-altitude deer mice

ABSTRACT Physiological systems often have emergent properties but the effects of genetic variation on physiology are often unknown, which presents a major challenge to understanding the mechanisms of phenotypic evolution. We investigated the in vivo effects on respiratory physiology of genetic variants in haemoglobin (Hb) that contribute to hypoxia adaptation in high-altitude deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ). We created F 2 …