Comparative Transcriptomics of Seasonal Phenotypic Flexibility in Two North American Songbirds.

摘要: Phenotypic flexibility allows organisms to reversibly alter their phenotypes match the changing demands of seasonal environments. Because phenotypic is mediated, at least in part, by changes gene regulation, comparative transcriptomic studies can provide insights into mechanistic underpinnings flexibility, and extent which regulatory responses seasons are conserved across species. To begin address these questions, we sampled individuals two resident North American songbird species, goldfinch (Spinus tristis) black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) summer winter measure variation pectoralis profiles identify species-specific elements profiles. We found that very few genes exhibited divergent season between instead, a core set over 1200 responded concordantly both Moreover, several key metabolic pathways, networks, functional classes were commonly recruited induce shifts The mirror increases mass cellular intensity documented previous suggesting due part expression. Despite growing evidence muscle nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) young precocial birds, did not find strong upregulation putatively involved NST during either modification muscular prominent contributor thermogenic capacity for adult passerine birds. Together, results first comprehensive overview potential common mechanisms underlying seasonally flexible wild, free-ranging