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Comparative Transcriptomics of Seasonal Phenotypic Flexibility in Two North American Songbirds
1Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
Integrative and Comparative Biology
|November 3, 2017
Summary
Seasonal changes in gene regulation allow songbirds to adapt their physiology. A core set of over 1200 genes respond similarly in American goldfinches and black-capped chickadees, revealing conserved mechanisms for seasonal phenotypic flexibility.
Area of Science:
- * Comparative genomics and transcriptomics
- * Ecology and evolutionary biology
- * Physiological adaptation
Background:
- * Phenotypic flexibility enables organisms to adjust their traits in response to environmental changes, particularly seasonal shifts.
- * Gene regulation plays a crucial role in mediating these phenotypic adjustments.
- * Understanding conserved regulatory mechanisms across species can illuminate the evolution of adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate seasonal variation in gene expression profiles of the pectoralis muscle in two North American songbird species.
- * To identify conserved and species-specific gene regulatory responses to changing seasons.
- * To explore the role of gene expression in seasonal phenotypic shifts and thermoregulation.
Main Methods:
- * Comparative transcriptomic analysis of pectoralis muscle tissue from American goldfinches (Spinus tristis) and black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus).
- * Sampling conducted during summer and winter to capture seasonal variations.
- * Identification of genes and pathways exhibiting concordant or divergent responses to season between species.
Main Results:
- * Over 1200 genes showed concordant seasonal responses in both species, indicating conserved regulatory mechanisms.
- * Key metabolic pathways and regulatory networks were commonly activated during seasonal transitions.
- * Seasonal transcriptomic changes align with previously documented increases in muscle mass and metabolic intensity during winter.
- * No strong evidence for upregulation of non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) genes in adult passerines during winter.
Conclusions:
- * Seasonal phenotypic flexibility in songbirds is significantly driven by coordinated changes in gene expression.
- * A core set of conserved gene regulatory mechanisms underlies seasonal adaptation in these species.
- * Muscular non-shivering thermogenesis is unlikely to be a primary driver of winter thermogenic capacity in adult passerine birds.
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