Researchers in Kerala to use modern techniques for DNA analysis
Alison is not aware of her white cousin housed in a rescue
centre at Puducherry. She, however, is on chattering terms with
the grey striped version of her species scurrying about in a
cage near hers in the laboratory of the Department of Zoology,
University of Kerala, here. Ever since she was captured from the
outskirts of the city in 2008, the black squirrel, named after a
United Kingdom-based scientist who helped identify the animal,
has been the subject of intense scientific curiosity. Following
up on preliminary investigations that have confirmed the black
and white animals to be variants of the Indian striped palm
squirrel, researchers here have launched a mission to decipher
the genetic causes of the colour change. The multi-institutional
project will use modern techniques for DNA analysis. Efforts are
focussed on identifying the chromosome responsible for the
genetic mutation in the grey squirrel, and the resultant colour
change. “Apparent