A genetic mechanism for sexual dichromatism in birds

Abstract

Canaries changing colors Many animals are sexually dimorphic, with different phenotypes in males and females. To identify the genetic basis of sexual differences in bird coloration, Gazda et al. investigated red coloration in mosaic canaries and related species (see the Perspective by Chen). Using a combination of genetic crosses, genomic mapping, transcriptomics, and comparative analyses, the authors show that trans-regulation of the carotenoid-processing gene BCO2 is involved in sexual dichromatism. Although such variation in coloration among the sexes is common, particularly in birds, there are few candidate genes known to be involved. This study helps to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underlie the evolution of dichromatism and may aid in uncovering sexually selected traits. Science , this issue p. 1270 ; see also p. 1185