Abstract

Domestication is one of the strongest forms of short-term, directional selection. Although selection is typically only exerted on one or a few target traits, domestication can lead to numerous changes in many seemingly unrelated phenotypes. It is unknown whether such correlated responses are due to pleiotropy or linkage between separate genetic architectures. Using three separate intercrosses between wild and domestic chickens, a locus affecting comb mass (a sexual ornament in the chicken) and several fitness traits (primarily medullary bone allocation and fecundity) was identified. This locus contains two tightly-linked genes, BMP2 and HAO1, which together produce the range of pleiotropic effects seen. This study demonstrates the importance of pleiotropy (or extremely close linkage) in domestication. The nature of this pleiotropy also provides insights into how this sexual ornament could be maintained in wild populations.

Published in

PLoS Genetics
2012, Volume: 8, number: 8, article number: e1002914.

Associated SLU-program

Centre of Excellence in Animal Welfare Science


UKÄ Subject classification

Genetics and Breeding


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002914

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/43063