Structural genomic changes underlie alternative reproductive strategies in the ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

Linkage mapping of a polymorphic plumage locus associated with intermorph incompatibility in the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae)

“…Many avian species share highly conserved synteny, but with various degrees of intrachromosomal rearrangement (Kawakami et al, 2014;Zhang et al, 2014). For example, no genomic rearrangements were found in the sex chromosomes between closely related Ficedula flycatcher species (Backström et al, 2010b), whereas there are karyotypic polymorphisms on the Z chromosome in ZF (Itoh et al, 2011) and an inversion is associated with alternative reproductive morphs in the ruff (Küpper et al, 2016;Lamichhaney et al, 2016). Estrildid finches have experienced several genomic rearrangements in the process of speciation.…”

“…Similarly, the three alternative, phenotypically complex and distinctly plumaged morphs of the ruff Philomachus pugnax are determined by a large inversion and the multiple genes combined within such an inversion may act together as alleles of a supergene (Küpper et al, 2016;Lamichhaney et al, 2016).…”

Supergene control of a reproductive polymorphism

“…It will clearly be of great interest to see future examples of such a fine-scale genetic dissection of supergenes. In conclusion, we were impressed by the data and analyses of Küpper et al [1] and Lamichhaney et al [2]: both papers beautifully illustrate how genomics and evolutionary ecology can be combined to make new, exciting discoveries. Both papers will appeal to readers with an interest in supergenes, inversions, the interplay of selection and recombination, or the genetic control of complex phenotypes.…”

“…A A r re ec co om mm me en nd da at ti io on n o of f Two back-to-back papers published earlier this year in Nature Genetics provide compelling evidence for the control of a male reproductive polymorphism in a wading bird by a "supergene", a cluster of tightly linked genes [1][2]. The bird in question, the ruff (Philomachus pugnax), has a rather unusual reproductive system that consists of three distinct types of males ("reproductive morphs"): aggressive "independents" who represent the majority of males; a smaller fraction of nonterritorial "satellites" who are submissive towards "independents"; and "faeders" who mimic females and are rare.…”

“…Previous work has shown that the male morphs differ in major aspects of mating and aggression behavior, plumage coloration and body size, and that -intriguingly -this complex multi-trait polymorphism is apparently controlled by a single autosomal Mendelian locus with three alleles [3]. To uncover the genetic control of this polymorphism two independent teams, led by Terry Burke [1] and Leif Andersson [2], have set out to analyze the genomes of male ruffs. Using a combination of genomics and genetics, both groups managed to pin down the supergene locus and map it to a non-recombining, 4.5 Mb large inversion which arose 3.8 million years ago.…”