New insights into genetic basis of bird migration | Penn State University

Good morning all,

Hot off of the presses - new information on the genetic basis of avian migratory behavior, a topic we have considered in class.  Here, researchers believe that they have identified a single gene on one of the avian sex chromosomes that is linked to specific migratory targeting in warbler species of conservation concern.  Interestingly, this avian gene is related to a human gene thought to be associated with movement. 

This is a good example of the current state of much of the study between genetics and behavior.  Through large-scale genomic analyses, it is possible to identify associations (correlations) between individual gene variants and particular aspects of behavior, but there is much to be learned "in the middle" - how does any one gene, and its gene product, mechanistically contribute to behavior?  Or is the association identified in first-order analyses spurious, or non-causal?   There is plenty of room for further work, as these researchers note.

https://news.psu.edu/story/585429/2019/08/28/research/new-insights-genetic-basis-bird-migration

Good luck with all of your remaining exams -
Dr. Nealen