Incomplete genetic compensation and countergradient variation of blood-oxygen transport in deer mice

We combined lab and field data to quantify maladaptive (fitness-reducing) hematological responses to hypoxia and cold in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) across their ~4000 m elevational range. In laboratory-raised mice native to low elevations, individuals increased their hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit in response to simulated high-elevation, a response that is maladaptive if unmitigated. In contrast, deer mice from high elevation increased hematocrit and hemoglobin to a lesser degree, consistent with genetic compensation. Unlike the predictions under complete genetic compensation, we observed a positive slope between hematological traits and elevation in the field, although this slope was lower than that observed in lowlanders in the lab. Our results suggest that deer mice have attenuated maladaptive hematological responses to high-elevation via genetic compensation that is incomplete, which has led to weak countergradient variation. We suggest this phenomenon is the result..., , Incomplete genetic compensation and countergradient variation of blood-oxygen transport in deer mice

Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.3r2280gw2

Included are the hematocrit (the proportion of red cells in the blood) and hemoglobin concentration data for each individual measured in this study from both field (wild-caught individuals) and laboratory-reared subjects.

Description of the data and file structure

The dataset All_Mouse_Phenotype_Data.csv contains field survey hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration data from across elevations in North America. Samples are from wild-captured individuals. 

These data include:

* Mouse_ID: individual mouse identifier 
* Location: the site of capture
* Elevation_m: the capture elevation in meters
* The Latitude and Longitude of each location, if known
* The Season in which the animal was captured, if known
* Year of capture, if known
* Sex: Male or Female, if known
* Mass of the animal (in grams), if known
* The Date of capture, if known
* Hb: hemogl...,