Genetic and Molecular Basis of Feather Diversity in Birds. (29th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ng, Chen Siang; Li, Wen-Hsiung
• Editors: Betran, Esther
• Is Part Of: Genome biology and evolution. Volume 10:Number 10(2018:Oct.)
• Page Start: 2572
• Page End: 2586
• Publication Date: 2018-08-29
• Subjects: feather -- skin appendage -- genetics -- genomics -- development -- evolution; Genomics -- Periodicals; Genes -- Periodicals; 572.8605
• DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-6653

Abstract

Abstract: Feather diversity is striking in many aspects. Although the development of feather has been studied for decades, genetic and genomic studies of feather diversity have begun only recently. Many questions remain to be answered by multidisciplinary approaches. In this review, we discuss three levels of feather diversity: Feather morphotypes, intraspecific variations, and interspecific variations. We summarize recent studies of feather evolution in terms of genetics, genomics, and developmental biology and provide perspectives for future research. Specifically, this review includes the following topics: 1) Diversity of feather morphotype; 2) feather diversity among different breeds of domesticated birds, including variations in pigmentation pattern, in feather length or regional identity, in feather orientation, in feather distribution, and in feather structure; and 3) diversity of feathers among avian species, including plumage color and morph differences between species and the regulatory differences in downy feather development between altricial and precocial birds. Finally, we discussed future research directions.