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Inheritance and variation in eggshell patterning in the great tit Parus major.

A G Gosler1, P R Barnett, S J Reynolds

  • 1Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, UK. andrew.gosler@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|February 24, 2001
PubMed
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This study demonstrates female sex-linked inheritance of avian eggshell patterns in great tits. This finding supports the hypothesis that such genetic mechanisms underpin egg mimicry evolution in birds.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics
  • Ornithology

Background:

  • The inheritance and function of avian eggshell patterns remain poorly understood.
  • Eggshell pattern mimicry is crucial for brood parasitism, like that seen in cuckoos.
  • Previous theories suggested female sex chromosome (W) linkage for egg pattern evolution, but this was unproven.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the inheritance patterns of eggshell pigment patterns in a wild great tit population.
  • To determine if eggshell patterns are genetically linked to sex and maternally inherited.
  • To provide evidence for or against the hypothesis of female sex-linked inheritance of eggshell patterning.

Main Methods:

  • Quantified three measures of egg-pigment patterns in a wild great tit population.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analyzed the resemblance of egg patterns between daughters, mothers, and grandmothers (maternal and paternal).
  • Assessed the influence of female age and condition, and environmental factors on egg patterns.

    • Main Results:

    • Eggshell pigment patterns were found to be female specific.
    • No significant relationship was observed between egg patterns and female age or condition.
    • Weak environmental effects were detected, but patterns showed strong maternal inheritance.
    • Daughters' egg patterns resembled their mothers' and maternal grandmothers', but not paternal grandmothers'.

    Conclusions:

    • This study provides the first evidence for female sex-linked inheritance of avian eggshell patterning.
    • The findings increase the likelihood that similar genetic systems are involved in egg mimicry.
    • This mechanism could explain how egg patterns are passed down in species exhibiting egg mimicry and their hosts.