Hi, All, I was skimming Hickman, 'Animal Diversity' the other day, and a note got me thinking. On page 18 he says that protein electrophoresis (whatever that is) has shown that at least 30% of the 10,000 gene loci on Drosophila fruit flies are polymorphic, w/ up to 6 variations. The typical fruit sucker is about 12% heterozygous. I'm not sure this is useful information 8^), but I wonder how limited the gene pool is for domestic ferrets? I'm getting concerned about in-breeding w/ my own stock. I can find safe crosses next year, but need a solid 'cinnamon/dilute blaze/DEW' out cross to go much further w/ this color strain. Basic theory says that genetic drift is the result of too small a breeding population. It is rare in the wild, tho I've heard that all Cheetahs are more closely related than human siblings. Still, we have done a fair job of shrinking the pool for ferrets- I hear very little about wild polecat blood being brought in. It is unlikely that any mammals are as diverse as fruit flies. After all, there may well be more Drosophila in the world than there are mammals! Still, if anyone can provide a comparison to something more understandable like cats or humans, I'd appreciate hearing. So much for idle speculation, Paul [Posted in FML issue 1929]