Story perspectives

Genetic Breakthrough: Wheatear Plumage Linked to Five Variations

10/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Dave Lutgen, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Bern, led a study showing wheatear plumage arises from five genetic variations near the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) gene, not slow mutations.
The research examined four wheatear species and found these variations influence plumage color and contributed to convergent evolution.
Population genetic analysis shows white throat and mantle coloration first appeared in O. melanoleuca and spread to other species.

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Story summary

Dave Lutgen, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Bern, led a study showing wheatear plumage arises from five genetic variations near the agouti signaling protein (ASIP) gene, not slow mutations.
The research examined four wheatear species and found these variations influence plumage color and contributed to convergent evolution.
Population genetic analysis shows white throat and mantle coloration first appeared in O. melanoleuca and spread to other species.