Research
into a distinctive bird has found a genetic quirk that gives rise to three
types of male in the same species.
Scientists
have identified a supergene in the birds’ DNA that is solely responsible for
three different kinds of males found among ruffs.
Species
variety
Male
ruffs can either have feathered collars - used in mating displays - or not, and
either defend a territory or sneakily hang out on other males’ territories.
This
gives rise to three types of the wading bird: collared, territorial
independents, collared, non-territorial satellites, and non-collared,
non-territorial feeders.
No comments:
Post a Comment