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Migration

Migration

Migration is long-range, seasonal movement from one region or habitat to another. This common strategy, carried out by many different organisms around the world, is an adaptive response that typically corresponds to changes in an organism’s environment, like resource availability or climate. Migrations can involve huge groups of thousands of animals as well as single individuals traveling alone and can range from thousands of kilometers to just a few hundred meters.

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.

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Gene Flow

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Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

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Position-effect Variegation

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.

Gastrulation

Gastrulation

Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike Lanius Ludovicianus Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern

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Published on: March 8, 2020

The genetics of bird migration.

Hannah Justen¹, Kira E Delmore¹

¹Department of Biology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.

Current Biology : CB

|October 25, 2022

Summary

Bird migration, a remarkable feat of endurance, is underpinned by genetics. Research explores the genetic basis of the migratory syndrome in songbirds, crucial for their conservation.

Area of Science:

Ornithology
Genetics
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Bird migration is a complex phenomenon involving long-distance seasonal movements.
Many migratory traits, including timing and orientation, have a strong genetic basis, particularly in songbirds.
The 'migratory syndrome' encompasses behavioral, morphological, and physiological traits essential for successful migration.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of research on the genetics of bird migratory traits.
To highlight the importance of understanding migratory genetics for bird conservation.
To focus on songbirds as a model system for studying migration genetics.

Main Methods:

Review of existing experimental work on the genetics of migratory traits.

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Last Updated: Aug 24, 2025

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Discussion of future research directions, including functional assays.

Emphasis on genetic underpinnings of the 'migratory syndrome'.

Main Results:

Bird migration has a significant genetic component, influencing key traits like timing and navigation.
The 'migratory syndrome' is a complex of traits influenced by genetics, enabling long-distance travel.
Research primarily focuses on songbirds due to extensive genetic studies in this group.

Conclusions:

Understanding the genetic basis of bird migration is vital for effective conservation strategies.
Further research, including functional genetic studies, is needed to fully elucidate migratory mechanisms.
Genetics plays a fundamental role in enabling birds to undertake arduous migratory journeys.