文章基本信息

标题：Clock gene polymorphism and scheduling of migration: a geolocator study of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica
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作者：Gaia Bazzi ; Roberto Ambrosini ; Manuela Caprioli 等
期刊名称：Scientific Reports
电子版ISSN：2045-2322
出版年度：2015
卷号：5
DOI：10.1038/srep12443
出版社：Springer Nature
摘要：Circannual rhythms often rely on endogenous seasonal photoperiodic timers involving ‘clock’ genes, and Clock gene polymorphism has been associated to variation in phenology in some bird species. In the long-distance migratory barn swallow Hirundo rustica , individuals bearing the rare Clock allele with the largest number of C-terminal polyglutamine repeats found in this species (Q₈) show a delayed reproduction and moult later. We explored the association between Clock polymorphism and migration scheduling, as gauged by light-level geolocators, in two barn swallow populations (Switzerland; Po Plain, Italy). Genetic polymorphism was low: 91% of the 64 individuals tracked year-round were Q₇/Q₇ homozygotes. We compared the phenology of the rare genotypes with the phenotypic distribution of Q₇/Q₇ homozygotes within each population. In Switzerland, compared to Q₇/Q₇, two Q₆/Q₇ males departed earlier from the wintering grounds and arrived earlier to their colony in spring, while a single Q₇/Q₈ female was delayed for both phenophases. On the other hand, in the Po Plain, three Q₆/Q₇ individuals had a similar phenology compared to Q₇/Q₇. The Swiss data are suggestive for a role of genetic polymorphism at a candidate phenological gene in shaping migration traits, and support the idea that Clock polymorphism underlies phenological variation in birds.