Congrats to Kira Delmore on the publication of her discovery of a genetic region underlying migratory orientation in Swainson’s Thrush. A massive accomplishment, involving migratory tracking, orientation experiments, and in-depth analysis of genomic variation.
The press release:Â Link
Articles: Audubon.org; IFLScience; Cosmos
CBC Radio’s interview of Kira Delmore
Global News’ television interview of Darren Irwin and Kira Delmore
The paper:
Delmore, K.E., D.P.L. Toews, R.R. Germain, G.L. Owens, and D.E. Irwin. 2016. The genetics of seasonal migration and plumage color. Current Biology, corrected proof available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.06.015. Link
Highlights:
• Variation in migratory route and plumage color is explained by genomic variation
• A region on chromosome 4 is strongly and additively associated with orientation
• This region includes circadian, nervous system, and cell signaling genes
• Recurrent selective sweeps have shaped variation in this region