US EditionSex Reversal Is More Common in Birds Than Previously Thought, Suggests Study of Australian Species
Up to 6% of nearly 500 wild birds studied showed sex reversal, which could affect population models and conservation efforts for endangered species, scientists said.
- This week, University of the Sunshine Coast researchers documented that up to 6% of almost 500 wild birds in southeast Queensland exhibited sex reversal, with findings published in Biology Letters.
- Although sex reversal is known in fish, reptiles and amphibians, Kate Buchanan, at Deakin University, suggested environmental stimulation, probably from chemicals, as the likely cause in birds.
- Scientists performed DNA tests on the birds from five common Australian species, including kookaburras, magpies and lorikeets, and found about 6% had mismatched chromosomes and reproductive organs.
- Errors of up to 6% in sex cues could skew population models for endangered species, Clancy Hall warned that sex reversal may impact conservation efforts.
- Highlighting adaptive potential, researchers noted that sex determination in wild birds is more fluid than thought and can persist into adulthood, said Dominique Potvin, ecologist at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Sex determination unexpectedly complicated in birds
A study of wild Australian birds found that an invidiual's gonads and appearance may not align with its genetic or chromosonal sex determination. The phenomenon is more common than expected and "may challenge the reliability of traditional sexing methods" reliant on morphology. — Read the rest The post Sex determination unexpectedly complicated in birds appeared first on Boing Boing.
In a study published in the journal "Biology Letters" on Wednesday, August 13, Australian scientists discovered a male koookaburra laying eggs.
Australian scientists have documented a surprising rate of sex change in wild birds, a phenomenon that could be explained by increasing pollution or other environmental triggers.A study of five common Australian species, including kookaburras, pes, and loriquets, found that approximately 6% of birds showed chromosomes of one sex but reproductive organs of another.The results showed that a surprisingly high number of birds had changed sex after b…
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