The exterior pigmentation observed in Mus musculus, commonly varying from shades of brown and gray to black and white, is a key characteristic influencing both natural selection and artificial breeding. For example, darker pelage may provide better camouflage in environments with dark soil, increasing survival rates.
This physical trait holds significance for several reasons. It affects thermoregulation, predator avoidance, and social signaling within populations. Historically, controlled breeding programs have utilized coat variations to trace lineages in laboratory settings and develop specific research models. Furthermore, certain alleles responsible for unique appearances are linked to specific genetic predispositions, providing valuable insights in biomedical research.