white plumage
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2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenxu Wang ◽  
Jia Xu ◽  
Thomas D. Kocher ◽  
Minghui Li ◽  
Deshou Wang

Premelanosome protein (pmel) is a key gene for melanogenesis in vertebrates. Mutations in this gene are responsible for white plumage in chicken, but its role in pigmentation of fish remains to be demonstrated. In this study we found that most fishes have two pmel genes arising from the teleost-specific whole genome duplication. Both pmela and pmelb were expressed at high levels in the eyes and skin of Nile tilapia. We mutated both genes in tilapia using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Homozygous mutation of pmela resulted in yellowish body color with weak vertical bars and a hypo-pigmented retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) due to significantly reduced number and size of melanophores. In contrast, we observed an increased number and size of xanthophores in mutants compared to wild-type fish. Homozygous mutation of pmelb resulted in a similar, but milder phenotype than pmela -/- mutants, without effects on RPE pigmentation. Double mutation of pmela and pmelb resulted in loss of additional melanophores compared to the pmela -/- mutants, and also an increase in the number and size of xanthophores, producing a strong golden body color without bars in the trunk. The RPE pigmentation of pmela -/ - ;pmelb -/- was similar to pmela -/- mutants, with much less pigmentation than pmelb -/- mutants and wild-type fish. Taken together, our results indicate that, while both pmel genes are important for the formation of body color in tilapia, pmela plays a more important role than pmelb. To our knowledge, this is the first report on mutation of pmelb or both pmela;pmelb in fish. Studies on these mutants suggest new strategies for breeding golden tilapia, and also provide a new model for studies of pmel function in vertebrates.


Author(s):  
Eunjin Cho ◽  
Minjun Kim ◽  
Prabuddha Manjula ◽  
Sung Hyun Cho ◽  
Dongwon Seo ◽  
...  
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2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
shaojuan Liu ◽  
hao Chen ◽  
jing Ouyang ◽  
min Huang ◽  
hui Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background : Indian peafowl ( Pavo cristatus ) attracts people's attention because of the exclusively dazzling phenotypic characteristics. However, little is known about the phenotypic evolution and phylogeny of Indian peafowl at the whole-genome level. So far, there has been no report on the genetic mechanism of the formation of white feather in white feather peafowl. Results : This study assembled a draft genome of Indian peafowl with a genome size of 1.05 Gb (the sequencing depth is 362×), and N50 of the contig and scaffold was up to 6.2 Mb and 11.4 Mb, respectively. Compared with other birds, Indian peafowl changed in terms of metabolism, immunity, skeletal development and feather development, which provided a novel insight into the phenotypic evolution of peafowl, such as the large body size and feather morphologies. It was confirmed that the phylogeny of Indian peafowl was closer to that of turkey than that of chicken. Specially, it was identified that PMEL was a causal gene leading to the formation of white plumage in blue and white feather peafowl. Conclusions: This study provides a peafowl genome with high-quality as well as a novel understanding in the phenotypic evolution and phylogeny of peafowl among other birds. The results contribute a valuable reference genome to the study of the avian genome evolution. In addition, the discovery of the genetic mechanism of white plumage not only is a breakthrough in the exploration of peafowl plumage, but also provides clues and new ideas for further investigations of the avian plumage coloration and artificial breeding in peafowl.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1827
Author(s):  
Enver Çavuşoğlu ◽  
Metin Petek

Transport conditions of end-of-lay hens are important for their welfare. This study investigated the effects of season, plumage colour, and transportation distance on the welfare of end-of-lay hens. Retrospective data from 31,667,274 end-of-lay hens transported to a poultry slaughterhouse in Turkey were analysed. The mean body weight loss, dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate, and reject rate were 3.723%, 1.397%, and 0.616%, respectively. The effects of season, plumage colour, and transport distance on the evaluated parameters were all statistically significant (p < 0.001). The highest body weight loss was found in winter, while the lowest body weight loss was found in autumn. The average DOA rate was highest in spring and lowest in autumn. The highest average reject rate was found in spring (0.630%). Body weight loss, DOA rates, and reject rates were also significantly different among white and brown hens (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p = 0.016, respectively). The highest body weight loss and reject rates were found in white plumage hens, while the highest DOA rate was found in brown plumage hens. The body weight loss and DOA rate were positively correlated with transportation distance (p < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that more preventive measures should be taken during the transport of end-of-lay hens, especially in cold seasons such as winter, and over longer transport distances, in regard to the welfare of these animals. Additionally, the transport of these animals should be lessened to a certain distance.


Artifex Novus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 111-161
Author(s):  
Krzysztof J. Czyżewski ◽  
Marek Walczak

Artykuł poświęcony jest wysokiej klasy medalowi znanemu z niewielkiej liczby egzemplarzy wybitych w złocie i srebrze ku czci biskupa krakowskiego Andrzeja Trzebickiego (1677). Na awersie przedstawiono popiersie hierarchy w prawo z legendą biegnącą dookoła, natomiast na rewersie wizerunek łabędzia z łacińską dewizą i datą.  Emisja miała miejsca w Gdańsku, a projekt numizmatu wykonał Johann Höhn Mł. Niestety emitent, ani okoliczności zamówienia nie są znane. Kluczowe znaczenie ma prawidłowa interpretacja sygli na awersie: ATH D.D.D., które dotychczas czytano: „Andreas Trzebicki honor dat, donat, dedicat”. W myśl takiej lekcji sam biskup byłby emitentem medalu ku swojej czci. Autorzy po analizie źródeł zaproponowali wariantywne propozycje odczytu: „Andreae Trzebicki Honori Dat Dedit Dedicat” lub „Andreae Trzebicki Haec [numisma?] Data Decreto Decurionum”. Druga lekcja wydaje się prawdopodobniejsza, co skłania do hipotetycznego uznania za emitenta medalu krakowskiej rady miejskiej. Bezpośrednim powodem emisji mogło być popieranie przez Trzebickiego starań o uzyskanie przez władze Krakowa samodzielności w wybieraniu rajców, dotąd wskazywanych przez miejscowego wojewodę. Starania te miały miejsce w 1677 r. i zakończyły się wydaniem przez króla Jana III Sobieskiego odpowiedniego przywileju (30 grudnia) w Gdańsku. Wspaniały medal ma wydźwięk apologetyczny i głosi chwałę hierarchy nie tylko przez ukazanie jego wiernej podobizny. Trzebicki posługiwał się herbem łabędź, który był interpretowany powszechnie jako symbol czystości.  Dewiza Candore odnosi się zarówno do bieli łabędzia, jak do zasad przyświecających biskupowi w życiu prywatnym i działalności publicznej. Omawiany medal cieszył się od początku szczególnym uznaniem kolekcjonerów, o czym zaświadcza jego dokładna analiza w opracowaniu kolekcji medali króla Fryderyka I w Berlinie autorstwa Lorenza Begera (1704). Autor zwrócił uwagę na błędną z punktu widzenia protestanta tytulaturę hierarchy „Dei et Apostolicae Sedis gratia”), a także na ambiwalencję łabędzia jako symbolu czystości (ptak ten ma czarną skórę ukrytą pod białymi piórami, co można interpretować jako dwoistość, nieczystość intencji i hipokryzję). Summary: The paper deals with a high-quality and very rare medal issued in honour of the Bishop of Cracow Andrzej Trzebicki in 1677, of which only a few specimens struck in gold and silver are known. Its obverse represents a bust-length image of the prelate turned right, with a legend running around the rim, while the reverse features an image of a swan accompanied by a Latin motto and date. The medal, issued in Gdańsk, was executed after a design by Johann Höhn the Younger. Regrettably, neither the issuer nor the circumstances of the medal’s commission are known. What is of key importance for determining the above facts is the correct reading of the sigla: ‘ATH D.D.D’, inscribed on the obverse, which so far have been deciphered as: ‘Andreas Trzebicki honor dat, donat, dedicat’. In keeping with this reading, the bishop himself would have been the issuer of a medal struck in his honour. Having analysed documentary evidence, the authors of the present paper have put forward alternative readings of the inscription: ‘Andreae Trzebicki Honori Dat Dedit Dedicat’ or ‘Andreae Trzebicki Haec [numisma?] Data Decreto Decurionum’. The latter reading seems to be more plausible and suggests that, hypothetically, the medal may have been issued by the Cracow city council. The immediate reason for issuing the medal may have been Trzebicki’s support of the strivings of the municipal authorities of Cracow for autonomy in electing members of the city council, which until then were appointed by the local voivode. These efforts took place in 1677 and concluded with a charter issued by King John III Sobieski in Gdańsk on 30 December of that year, granting the city the requested rights. The magnificent medal reveals an aspect of eulogising the prelate, and his praise is expressed not only through his faithful likeness depicted on the obverse. Trzebicki used the ‘Swan’ coat of arms, and the swan was widely interpreted as a symbol of chastity. The motto ‘Candore’ on the reverse refers to not only the whiteness of the swan but also to the principles to which the bishop adhered, both in his private life and in carrying out his public duties. The medal under discussion has from the very beginning enjoyed a special appreciation of collectors, as attested by his detailed analysis included in a study of the medallic collection of King Frederick I in Berlin, by Lorenz Beger, published 1704. Beger has noted the titulature of the prelate, ‘Dei et Apostolicae Sedis gratia’ – which he considered incorrect (from a Protestant point of view). Additionally, he pointed out to the ambiguity of the swan as a symbol of chastity, as the bird has a black skin hidden under white plumage, which can be interpreted as duplicity, unfair intentions and hypocrisy.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 29-35
Author(s):  
Viktor Khvostyk

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need to continually conduct autopsy analysis of dead embryos as an integral part of genetic monitoring of harmful mutations, which may reduce the level of genetic burden in the gene pool of poultry. The study was conducted on poultry of different species of the Ukrainian gene pool: chickens of meat and egg area of productivity, turkeys of the original family lines of the Kharkiv crossing. The purpose of the study was to determine the spectrum and frequency of manifestation of hereditary genetic defects in the development of embryos in land birds of different species, to establish the level of genetic burden. The spectrum and frequency of morphological and anatomical hereditary defects of chicken and turkey embryos were established during pathological and anatomical examination of incubation waste. Visual examination of dead embryos allowed identifying morphological abnormalities in the structure of the skeleton, as well as various disproportions of its individual parts. In chickens of subpopulations with black-striped and white plumage, among birds of all studied groups, the widest range of morphological abnormalities of embryo development was discovered. In meat and egg hens with golden plumage, three anomalies with the same frequency of manifestation of 33.3% were found among the examined dead embryos. Only 1 anomaly “exencephaly” was found in birds with mottled plumage. Two cases of double mutation were found in birds with silver plumage among the examined dead embryos. The level of genetic burden in the studied subpopulations of meat and egg chickens was in the range of 3.45-8.72%. In birds with white and silver plumage, this figure was higher than the maximum allowable value, therefore it is necessary to carry out selection measures to eliminate lethal genes from these populations of chickens. In turkeys of the paternal line 5 and maternal line 6 of the Kharkiv crossing, 2 morphological anomalies of embryo development were found among the examined dead embryos. The level of genetic burden in turkeys of related forms is low – 1.60-1.89%, which does not exceed the maximum allowable value (8.0%). This indicates a low share in the heredity of the used offspring of hidden carriers of “defective” genes. At this stage, the preservation of the gene pool of birds is not threatening for its further breeding


Ibis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miklós Laczi ◽  
Julia Balogh ◽  
Xavier Nardou ◽  
János Török ◽  
Gergely Hegyi

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