An allelic series at the EDNRB2 locus controls diverse piebalding patterns in the domestic pigeon.

ABSTRACT: Variation in pigment patterns within and among vertebrate species reflects underlying changes in cell migration and function that can impact health, reproductive success, and survival. The domestic pigeon (Columba livia) is an exceptional model for understanding the genetic changes that give rise to diverse pigment patterns, as selective breeding has given rise to hundreds of breeds with extensive variation in plumage color and pattern. Here, we map the genetic architecture of a suite of pigmentation phenotypes known as piebalding. Piebalding is characterized by patches of pigmented and non-pigmented feathers, and these plumage patterns are often breed-specific and stable across generations. Using a combination of quantitative trait locus mapping in F₂ laboratory crosses

SUBMITTER: Maclary ET 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10402103 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature