In vertebrates, melanin-based coloration is often associated with variation in physiological
and behavioural traits. We propose that this association stems from pleiotropic effects of the …

Animal coloration is a powerful model for studying the genetic mechanisms that determine
phenotype. Genetic crosses of laboratory mice have provided extensive information about …

The study of pigmentation has played an important role in the intersection of evolution,
genetics, and developmental biology. Pigmentation's utility as a visible phenotypic marker …

Structural colorations originate from self-organized microstructures, which interact with light
in a complex way to produce brilliant colors seen everywhere in nature. Research in this …

Animal integumentary coloration plays a crucial role in visual communication and
camouflage, and varies extensively among and within species and populations. To …

Melanins are a ubiquitous component of plumage colouration in birds and serve a wide
variety of functions. Although the genetic control of melanism has been studied in chickens …

The evolution of degenerate characteristics remains a poorly understood phenomenon. Only
recently has the identification of mutations underlying regressive phenotypes become …

There is an amazing amount of diversity in coloration patterns in nature. The ease of
observing this diversity and the recent application of genetic and molecular techniques to …

Establishing the links between phenotype and genotype is of great importance for resolving
key questions about the evolution, maintenance and adaptive function of phenotypic …

Vertebrate pigmentation patterns are amongst the best characterised model systems for
studying the genetic basis of adaptive evolution. The wealth of available data on the genetic …