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Related Concept Videos

Epistasis01:39

Epistasis

In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
Types of Selection01:46

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
Position-effect Variegation02:32

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.
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Limits to Natural Selection01:38

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.
Epistasis Analysis01:09

Epistasis Analysis

Although Mendel chose seven unrelated traits in peas to study gene segregation, most traits involve multiple gene interactions that create a spectrum of phenotypes. When the interaction of various genes or alleles at different locations influences a phenotype, this is called epistasis. Epistasis often involves one gene masking or interfering with the expression of another (antagonistic epistasis). Epistasis often occurs when different genes are part of the same biochemical pathway. The...

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Updated: May 13, 2026

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments
09:03

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Published on: May 21, 2019

Balancing Selection on a Single Locus Controls Colour Polymorphism in a Reptile via Tubulin Modification.

Hongxin Xie1,2, Danyang Wu3,4, Guannan Wen5

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Wetland Conservation and Restoration, Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Eco-Chongming, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Molecular Ecology
|May 12, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The genetic basis of red coloration in Chinese crocodile lizards was identified, revealing a single gene, tubulin polyglutamylase TTLL6, responsible for this distinct phenotype. This finding sheds light on the evolution of animal color polymorphism.

Keywords:
Chinese crocodile lizardanimal pigmentationbalancing selectioncolour polymorphismhaplotype‐resolved genomepigment trafficking

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genetics
  • Herpetology

Background:

  • Animal coloration is crucial for communication and evolution.
  • Reptile skin coloration mechanisms are poorly understood.
  • The Chinese crocodile lizard exhibits distinct red crossbands.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the genetic and molecular basis of red pigmentation in Shinisaurus crocodilurus.
  • Understand the evolutionary maintenance of this color polymorphism.

Main Methods:

  • Haplotype-resolved, chromosome-level genome construction.
  • Population genomics and captive breeding data analysis.
  • Candidate gene identification and functional analysis (mechanistic modeling, histology).

Main Results:

  • Red crossbands are a discrete polymorphism linked to male quality.
  • The trait maps to a single dominant autosomal locus under balancing selection.
  • Tubulin polyglutamylase TTLL6 is the prime candidate gene with fixed coding mutations.
  • TTLL6 variants may alter protein function, impacting pigment granule trafficking via microtubule-mediated mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • A single gene, TTLL6, likely drives the red crossband polymorphism in Shinisaurus crocodilurus.
  • Microtubule-mediated pigment granule trafficking is a novel pathway for reptile color evolution.
  • Balancing selection maintains this phenotypic diversity through a simple genetic switch.