East-West relations in the mouse world: A historical perspective

Population genetics of the house mouse, Mus musculus/domesticus, has become a "hot" area of research, in which the biochemical-molecular approach has largely replaced the more traditional morphological-anatomical methods of investigation. In this essay - commemorating Professor Uzi Rittes recent passing - the authors, one of whom abandoned mouse genetics some 30 years ago, offer a historical perspective in which they point out the confusion that has accompanied mouse taxonomy from its modern beginnings. They then tender their view of the problems associated with the biochemical-molecular studies of mouse taxonomy and speciation. They conclude with a plea to rely less on abstract models and more on empirical data and mouse biology, and for a return to the Heraclitean-Darwinian view of nature in taxonomy.