Differential effects of the albino gene on behavior according to task, level of inbreeding, and genetic background.

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Abstract
Different generations from a Mendelian crossing schedule and 2 inbred recombinant albino strains of mice were compared in a water-escape and a locomotor task under dim red-orange light. Deleterious effects of the albino gene were revealed. Although seriously altering cognitive capacities, they did not affect locomotor tasks. The degree of expression of these effects was greater in the inbred albino mice than in the albinos from heterozygous generations. Differences in the genetic background may also affect the degree of expression of the albino gene effects in various albino strains. The visual system is unlikely to mediate the pleiotropic effects of the albino gene discussed here.