Story perspectives

Fruit-Diet Shift Triggers Manakin Courtship, Sweet-Taste Genes Evolve

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers led by Chris Balakrishnan (East Carolina University) reported that a fruit-diet shift in Panama’s manakins preceded their courtship dances.
Genome sequencing showed strong sexual-selection signatures and taste-digestion changes, including sweet-taste receptor modifications that arose before the displays.
Reduced lactase activity lets the birds avoid toxins in unripe fruit.
Laboratory tests proved manakins re-evolved sweet taste via a receptor region than songbirds, involving sixty scientists funded by National Science Foundation.

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Story summary

Researchers led by Chris Balakrishnan (East Carolina University) reported that a fruit-diet shift in Panama’s manakins preceded their courtship dances.
Genome sequencing showed strong sexual-selection signatures and taste-digestion changes, including sweet-taste receptor modifications that arose before the displays.
Reduced lactase activity lets the birds avoid toxins in unripe fruit.
Laboratory tests proved manakins re-evolved sweet taste via a receptor region than songbirds, involving sixty scientists funded by National Science Foundation.