A blond coat color variation in meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

Color mutations occur frequently among rodents. Here we describe a blond coat color mutation in the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) that arose in a captive breeding colony established from wild-caught animals from southern Illinois. The blond coat coloration results from changes in the color and distribution of pigments in the hair. The mutation is monogenic autosomal recessive.