The evolution of novel traits

Figure 1.  Munias show distinct plumage variation

One of the biggest puzzle's underlying evolutionary biology is the why and how of diversification and innovation -- something I spend a lot of time thinking about already! 

Now, finches from remote corners of New Guinea are helping to solve that puzzle. The genus Lunchura (i.e. munias) represent 13 phenotypically distinct individuals -- varying widely in plumage coloration. Using low-coverage genome sequencing of 18 populations, a recent research team sampled 11 of the 13 species in the radiation. Their question was simple: "How did eleven closely related species end up looking so different?" The finding was simple: species are divergent along the mitochondrial DNA, but less so on the autosomal genomes. Only 20 genes can account for the variation seen in the munias, and they are present in different combinations in distinct 'species'. The fascinating part? Twelve of those genes are pigmentation genes! How did they inherit such different combinations of these genes? The research team hypothesis is that it likely occurred rapidly via multiple introgression events. 

Click here for the paper! (Note: I have this if anyone wants to read it; I'm aware we can't access it through GWU). 

- Elizabeth (Liz) Tapanes