Gene regulation and speciation in a migratory divide between songbirds.

ABSTRACT: Behavioral variation abounds in nature. This variation is important for adaptation and speciation, but its molecular basis remains elusive. Here, we use a hybrid zone between two subspecies of songbirds that differ in migration - an ecologically important and taxonomically widespread behavior---to gain insight into this topic. We measure gene expression in five brain regions. Differential expression between migratory states was dominated by circadian genes in all brain regions. The remaining patterns were largely brain-region specific. For example, expression differences between the subspecies that interact with migratory state likely help maintain reproductive isolation in this system and were documented in only three brain regions. Contrary to existing work on regulatory mechanisms under

SUBMITTER: Louder MIM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10761872 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature