How does interbreeding between black and white mice affect allelic diversity in an environment favoring white mice?

Interbreeding between black and white mice can lead to an increase in allelic diversity in a population, particularly when the environment favors white mice. This occurs because the mixing of alleles from two different color variants—black and white—can introduce new genetic material into the gene pool. The resulting offspring from interbreeding may carry a combination of alleles from both parents, which can enhance genetic variation within the population.

In environments where selection pressures favor white mice, the black mice might not survive as well, but their alleles still contribute to the overall genetic diversity of the population. The presence of these alleles—despite the lower survival rate of the black mice—can increase the adaptive potential of the population in varying environmental conditions. Hence, interbreeding doesn't just reinforce the traits favored by natural selection; it can also provide valuable genetic resources that might be beneficial if environmental conditions change.

Furthermore, this increase in allelic diversity can offer the population resilience against diseases or changes in the environment, allowing for better chances of survival in the long run. This understanding of genetic variation is vital in evolutionary biology as it illustrates how gene flow between different morphs can influence the overall genetic composition of a species, leading to increased adaptive potential.