Barn Owl Melanin Coloration and MC1R Gene Effects

Research data investigates the effect of the MC1R gene on sexual dimorphism in melanin-based colorations of barn owls (Tyto alba). The study found a valine-to-isoleucine substitution at position 126 explains up to 30% of variation in three color traits and feather melanin content. Authored by Luis M. San-José and published in 2020.

Use Cases

• Analyze the relationship between MC1R genotypes and the degree of sexual color dimorphism in barn owls.
• Model how the valine-to-isoleucine substitution at position 126 explains variation in reddish pheomelanin-based coloration.
• Investigate correlations between MC1R variants and the number and size of black feather spots.
• Examine sex-specific selection processes using data on melanin content and MC1R gene variants.

Strengths

• Data supports a specific genetic finding: a valine-to-isoleucine substitution explains up to 30% of variation in color traits.
• Study quantifies phenotypic effects, with II homozygous individuals being 2 times redder and 2.5 times less sexually dimorphic than VV homozygotes.
• Focuses on a well-defined species (Tyto alba, the barn owl) with pronounced variation in melanin-based traits.

Limitations

• Dataset scope and structure (rows, columns, file formats) are unknown from the provided metadata.
• Data is specific to barn owls, limiting generalizability to other species without further study.
• Temporal and geographic coverage of the underlying observations are not specified.

Provenance

Source

Dryad digital repository.

Collection Method

Genetic and phenotypic analysis of barn owl coloration, as described in the associated research publication.

Freshness

Last updated 2020-06-24.