The restriction map
of mitochondrial DNA from
a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from
Savannah River, South Carolina, includes five restriction
sites (X) for the restriction
endonucleaseBcl I.
Comparison with the restriction map of another white-tailed deer
from the Longfellow Ranch in west Texas (Longfellow "A") shows a
gain of one site (extra X above the line) and a loss
of one site (missing X). When the mtDNA is
digested with BclIand the fragments separated by electrophoresis, both
will show fivefragments, three in common
and two different. Comparison with the map of a black-tailed
deer (O. hemionus columbianus) from Hopland,
California, which has gained two sites lost three with respect to
the Savannah R map, will show only one fragment in
common, whereas it will share two with the Longfellow "A"
type. These patterns of variation are called restriction
fragment length polymorphism. Gain or loss of each restriction site is
due to the mutation of a single nucleotide (SNP variation) in each
site. [SM
Carr et al. 1986. Proc Natl Acad Aci USA 83, 9576]
