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Colourful male fish have genes to thank for their enduring looks

Date:
March 22, 2019
Source:
University of Edinburgh
Summary:
Striking colors that are seen only in the males of some species are partly explained by gene behavior, research into guppy fish suggests.
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Striking traits seen only in males of some species -- such as colourful peacock feathers or butterfly wings -- are partly explained by gene behaviour, research suggests.

The findings aid understanding of the phenomenon, which can help animals attract mates, but also make them more vulnerable to predators.

Researchers studied the genetics of the guppy fish, whose males are brightly coloured compared with the dull brown of females.

Researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh and Exeter used populations of fish bred in the lab to carry out detailed studies of how genes are passed on during reproduction.

Scientists compared genetic maps over several generations alongside entire genetic codes, to understand how genes were inherited over time.

In typical sexual reproduction, a set of genes from each parent would combine randomly to create offspring with a mix of features from both.

In male guppy fish, however, packages of genes in cells -- known as chromosomes -- were found to exchange genes only from their tips.

Many genes, including those that cause bright colours, are passed on from one male generation to the next almost undisturbed, and rarely mix with genes inherited by females.

Researchers also found that this low rate of genetic mixing between the sexes has enabled the evolution of the male's brightly coloured appearance, by conserving the characteristic over many generations.


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Edinburgh. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Roberta Bergero, Jim Gardner, Beth Bader, Lengxob Yong, Deborah Charlesworth. Exaggerated heterochiasmy in a fish with sex-linked male coloration polymorphisms. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2019; 201818486 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1818486116

Cite This Page:

University of Edinburgh. "Colourful male fish have genes to thank for their enduring looks." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 March 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190322105736.htm>.
University of Edinburgh. (2019, March 22). Colourful male fish have genes to thank for their enduring looks. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190322105736.htm
University of Edinburgh. "Colourful male fish have genes to thank for their enduring looks." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190322105736.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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