Abstract
BackgroundPopulation variation in the degree of seasonal polymorphism is rare in birds, and the genetic basis of this phenomenon remains largely undescribed. Both sexes of Scandinavian and Scottish Willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus) display marked differences in their winter phenotypes, with Scottish grouse retaining a pigmented plumage year-round and Scandinavian Willow grouse molting to a white morph during winter. A widely studied pathway implicated in vertebrate pigmentation is the melanin system, for which functional variation has been characterised in many taxa.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe sequenced coding regions from four genes involved in melanin pigmentation (DCT, MC1R, TYR and TYRP1), and an additional control involved in the melanocortin pathway (AGRP), to investigate the genetic basis of winter plumage in Lagopus. Despite the well documented role of the melanin system in animal coloration, we found no plumage-associated polymorphism or evidence for selection in a total of ∼2.6 kb analysed sequence.Conclusions/SignificanceOur results indicate that the genetic basis of alternating between pigmented and unpigmented seasonal phenotypes is more likely explained by regulatory changes controlling the expression of these or other loci in the physiological pathway leading to pigmentation.
Highlights
Studies on genetic variation in endangered species have traditionally focused on neutral genetic markers such as microsatellites or mtDNA, but the importance of functional genetic variation is receiving increased interest
Due to varying amplification success, the number of successfully sequenced individuals varied between 7–13 from Scandinavian Willow grouse and 7–11 from Scottish Red grouse
Vage and coworkers [2] showed that a rare blue phenotype in arctic foxes in Scandinavia was perfectly associated with two amino acid substitutions in mc1r
Summary
Studies on genetic variation in endangered species have traditionally focused on neutral genetic markers such as microsatellites or mtDNA, but the importance of functional genetic variation is receiving increased interest. A plausible non-invasive approach to study adaptive variation in threatened species is to utilize candidate genes for interesting phenotypes that are known a priori or from mapping experiments in related model species [1] One such phenotype is geographic variation in seasonal polymorphism, exemplified by the white winter phenotype displayed by many arctic animal species. Population variation in the degree of seasonal polymorphism is rare in birds, and the genetic basis of this phenomenon remains largely undescribed Both sexes of Scandinavian and Scottish Willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus) display marked differences in their winter phenotypes, with Scottish grouse retaining a pigmented plumage year-round and Scandinavian Willow grouse molting to a white morph during winter. A widely studied pathway implicated in vertebrate pigmentation is the melanin system, for which functional variation has been characterised in many taxa
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
