Plumage polymorphism in the black sparrowhawk (Accipiter melanoleucus) is strongly associated with the expression level of agouti signaling protein.

ABSTRACT: Melanin-based plumage polymorphisms in birds are often associated with mutations in the melanogenesis genes, notably the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), but may also arise through changes in the expression of these genes. Here we investigate the molecular basis of plumage polymorphism in both adult and juvenile black sparrowhawks (Accipiter melanoleucus), an African raptor that occurs in two adult color morphs, light and dark, and also exhibits variation in juvenile plumage coloration. Our results confirmed that plumage differences in adult morphs were a result of differential deposition of eumelanin in their ventral contour feathers. No polymorphisms in the coding regions of the MC1R or the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) genes associated with adult color morph were identified. However, l

SUBMITTER: Rodseth E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12130442 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature