Potential Genetic Markers Associated with Coloration in Duck: A Review

Plumage coloration in ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) represents a complex polygenic trait of significant economic and biological importance in commercial poultry production. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the genetic mechanisms underlying feather coloration in domestic ducks, with particular emphasis on melanin biosynthesis pathways and their regulatory networks. We systematically analyzed recent advances including genome-wide association studies, RNA sequencing, whole-genome resequencing, and population genetics approaches that have identified key candidate genes controlling duck pigmentation patterns. The melanogenesis pathway emerges as the central regulatory network, with nine core genes (MITF, MC1R, TYR, TYRP1, DCT, SOX10, KIT, EDNRB2, and MLANA) consistently associated with plumage coloration across multiple duck populations. The MITF functions as the master regulator, coordinating expression of the enzymatic triad (TYR, TYRP1, DCT) responsible for melanin synthesis, while MC1R serves as the primary receptor controlling eumelanin versus pheomelanin production ratios. Epistatic interactions between MITF and MC1R demonstrate the complexity of color inheritance, with MITF exhibiting dominant effects over MC1R in determining white versus black plumage phenotypes. Functional enrichment analyses confirm these genes' central roles in melanin biosynthetic processes and tyrosine metabolism pathways. Additionally, recent studies have revealed the importance of regulatory mechanisms, including epigenetic modifications and tissue-specific expression patterns, in modulating final coloration phenotypes. Understanding these genetic determinants provides valuable insights for selective breeding programs aimed at optimizing esthetic and economic traits in duck production. This review establishes a foundation for future research in avian pigmentation genetics and offers practical applications for improving breeding efficiency and product quality in the global duck industry.