Supergene linked to ruff bird collars

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.

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