Analysis of genetic differentiation of host races of the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus using mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA variation

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
H L GibbsN B Davies

Abstract

It has long been argued that populations of the parasitic common cuckoo Cuculus canorus consist of sympatric host-specific female races, each of which lays eggs that match, to varying degrees, those of their chosen hosts. We tested this hypothesis by comparing rapidly evolving DNA markers among the cuckoo chicks reared by the three most common hosts in the United Kingdom. Comparing cuckoos from different hosts, we found no significant differences in the number of repeats in the control region of the mtDNA nor in the allele frequencies of three microsatellite loci. Given that cuckoos parasitizing the three different hosts do lay different eggs, these results suggest that either: (i) egg-colour variation in cuckoos is facultative, which is unlikely; (ii) gene flow between races occurs because female cuckoos sporadically successfully parasitize alternative hosts; or (iii) the presumably neutral markers in this study have not have not tracked the rapid and/or recent evolution of host races in this species. Studies of the laying and mating patterns of female cuckoos in marked populations in the wild will help evaluate which of these interpretations is most likely.

References

Jan 1, 1992·Mammalian Genome : Official Journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society·J F Dallas
Jul 1, 1991·Genetics·G S Wilkinson, A M Chapman
Feb 1, 1974·Genetics·M Nei, A K Roychoudhury
Jul 18, 1995·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·D B GoldsteinM W Feldman
Jan 1, 1993·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·P W WeninkM G Tilanus

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 1, 2007·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·M I CherryC Moskát
Jun 15, 1999·Theoretical Population Biology·F Rousset
Nov 17, 2010·Electrophoresis·James Chun-I LeeHsing-Mei Hsieh
Jun 1, 1999·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Juan José SolerAnders Pape Møller
Oct 17, 1998·Science·K MarchettiH L Gibbs

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.