Missense SNP of the MC1R gene is associated with plumage variation in the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

X J Zhan; A Dixon; N C Fox; M W Bruford

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02263.x

Missense SNP of the MC1R gene is associated with plumage variation in the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

Anim Genet. 2012 Aug;43(4):460-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02263.x. Epub 2011 Oct 10.

Authors

X J Zhan¹, A Dixon, N C Fox, M W Bruford

Affiliation

¹ Organisms and Environment Division, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, UK.

PMID: 22497627
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02263.x

Abstract

A single nucleotide polymorphism (MC1R: c.376A>G) in the MC1R gene was found to be highly correlated with pigment phenotype in the Gyrfalcon. Homozygous genotypes c.376GG and c.376AA were found to dominate the extreme white and dark plumage types respectively, and heterozygotes occurred mainly in intermediate phenotypes. However, some heterozygotes were associated with extreme phenotypes, indicating that melanism/albinism might also involve other loci.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alleles
Animals
Falconiformes / classification
Falconiformes / genetics*
Feathers
Heterozygote
Homozygote
Mutation, Missense*
Phenotype
Pigmentation / genetics*
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1 / genetics*
Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1 / metabolism

Substances

Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1