Sequence variation in melanocortin-1-receptor and tyrosinase-related protein 1 genes and their relationship with melanin-based plumage trait expression in Lesser Kestrel ( Emphasis Type='Italic'>Falco naumanni/Emphasis>) males

摘要

Abstract Lesser kestrel males display inter-individual variation in melanin-based plumage traits, like ventral plumage colouration and breast/underwing spottiness. We explored whether such plumage variability was associated with single-nucleotide genetic polymorphisms?of melanocortin-1-receptor ( MC1R ) and tyrosinase-related protein 1 ( TYRP1 ), two genes involved in the melanogenesis pathway. No statistically significant associations between single-nucleotide mutations and male plumage traits emerged, though in some cases very rare ( MC1R and TYRP1 .