Coloration is an easily quantifiable visual trait that has proven to be a highly tractable system
for genetic analysis and for studying adaptive evolution. The application of genomic …

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 …

Instances of recent and rapid speciation are suitable for associating phenotypes with their
causal genotypes, especially if gene flow homogenizes areas of the genome that are not …

Insular organisms often evolve predictable phenotypes, like flightlessness, extreme body
sizes, or increased melanin deposition. The evolutionary forces and molecular targets …

Behavioral changes, such as those involved in mating, foraging, and migration, can
generate reproductive barriers between populations. Birds, in particular, are known for their …

Identifying the genetic basis of repeatedly evolved traits provides a way to reconstruct their
evolutionary history and ultimately investigate the predictability of evolution. Here, we focus …

Coloration is an important target of both natural and sexual selection. Discovering the
genetic basis of colour differences can help us to understand how this visually striking …

Organismal adaptations are the hallmark of natural selection. Studies of adaptations in avian
systems have been central to key conceptual and empirical advances in the field of …

Understanding the mechanisms underlying species formation and differentiation is a central
goal of evolutionary biology and a formidable challenge. This understanding can provide …

Numerous studies of emerging species have identified genomic “islands” of elevated
differentiation against a background of relative homogeneity. The causes of these islands …