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Genetic Study of Black Chickens Shed Light On Mechanisms Causing Rapid Evolution in Domestic Animals. Dec.

22, 2011 — The genetic changes underlying the evolution of new species are still poorly understood.

Genetic studies in domestic animals can shed light on this process due to the rapid evolution they have undergone over the last 10,000 years.

A new study describes how a complex genomic rearrangement causes a fascinating phenotype in chickens.

In the study published in PLoS Genetics researchers at Uppsala University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, North Carolina State University and National Chung-Hsing University have investigated the genetic basis of fibromelanosis, a breed characteristic of the Chinese Silkie chicken (image on left).

This trait involves a massive expansion of pigment cells that not only makes the skin and comb black but also causes black internal organs.

Chickens similar in appearance to the Silkie were described by Marco Polo when he visited China in the 13th century and Silkie chickens have a long history in Chinese cuisine and traditional Chinese medicine.

"We have shown that the genetic change causing fibromelanosis is a complex rearrangement that leads to increased expression of Endothelin 3, a gene which is known for promoting the growth of pigment cells," explains Ben Dorshorst the post-doctoral researcher responsible for the work.