Gene underlying head-colour
Work by our collaborators at the University of Sheffield has identified a region of the genome that is closely associated with red and black head-colour in the Gouldian finch (Kim 2011). This work found that the region likely responsible for head-colour was on the Z-chromosome (birds' sex chromosome), and is consistent with the sex-linked inheritance pattern for head-colour that has been previously established.
Discovery of this region, dubbed Red, has allowed for the development of another genetic test to tell the genotype underlying the head-colour. This is particularly useful because red males may be heterozygote or homozygote for red, but there is no discernable physical difference between these two genotypes.
Provided to you, as a participant of Feathers for Science, is the genotype underlying the head-colour for all red and black-headed birds. This is just provided as raw text, and is decided on the bases of the output of the genetic test (Figure 1).
Discovery of this region, dubbed Red, has allowed for the development of another genetic test to tell the genotype underlying the head-colour. This is particularly useful because red males may be heterozygote or homozygote for red, but there is no discernable physical difference between these two genotypes.
Provided to you, as a participant of Feathers for Science, is the genotype underlying the head-colour for all red and black-headed birds. This is just provided as raw text, and is decided on the bases of the output of the genetic test (Figure 1).
Error
This method is not 100% accurate, in the initial testing, 1 out of 161 individuals gave the incorrect genotype based on the head-colour observed (Kim 2011). This individual was a "black headed" female, but came up as a red genotype. This instance of error may because some females show a mixture of black and red feathers in their mask, and may have been a case where most feathers were black.
Follow up work on another 872 wild birds showed an overall 2.5% error rate. Some of these may be attributable to red/black feather mixtures in females, or may represent mistakes in the field or in the lab.
In the data you have received Peri has indicated whether the genotype provided by the genetic data is in agreement with the head-colour phenotype you provided.
Follow up work on another 872 wild birds showed an overall 2.5% error rate. Some of these may be attributable to red/black feather mixtures in females, or may represent mistakes in the field or in the lab.
In the data you have received Peri has indicated whether the genotype provided by the genetic data is in agreement with the head-colour phenotype you provided.
References
Kim, K.-W. (2011). The molecular genetic basis of a plumage colour polymorphism in the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae). University of Sheffield: PhD Thesis.