Convergent evolution of parrot plumage coloration

Parrots have remarkable plumage coloration that result in part from a unique ability to produce pigments called psittacofulvins that yield yellow to red feather colors. Little is known about the evolution of psittacofulvin-based pigmentation. Widespread color mutations of captive-bred parrots provid...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:PNAS nexus 2024-03, Vol.3 (3), p.pgae107-pgae107
Main Authors: Ke, Fushi, van der Zwan, Henriëtte, Poon, Emily Shui Kei, Cloutier, Alison, Van den Abeele, Dirk, van der Sluis, Rencia, Sin, Simon Yung Wa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Behavior
Brief Report
Color of animals
Convergence (Biology)
Evolutionary biology
Genes
Genetic aspects
Genetic research
Genomics
Growth
Parrots
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Parrots have remarkable plumage coloration that result in part from a unique ability to produce pigments called psittacofulvins that yield yellow to red feather colors. Little is known about the evolution of psittacofulvin-based pigmentation. Widespread color mutations of captive-bred parrots provide perfect opportunities to study the genetic basis of this trait. An earlier study on budgerigars, which do not possess psittacofulvins, reveals the involvement of an uncharacterized polyketide synthase (MuPKS) in yellow psittacofulvin synthesis. The phenotype had repeatedly appeared in different parrot species, similar to independent experimental replications allowing the study of convergent evolution and molecular mechanism of psittacofulvin-based pigmentation. Here, we investigated the genetic basis of the phenotypes in two species of parrots, Fischer's lovebird ( ) and Yellow-collared lovebird ( ). Using whole-genome data, we identified a single genomic region with size
ISSN:2752-6542
2752-6542
DOI:10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae107