International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 281-289 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 281 Feature Review Open Access Heritability of Important Phenotypic Traits in Bird Populations Xian Li, Yanlin Wang, Jia Chen Tropical Animal Resources Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572000, Hainan, China Corresponding email: jia.chen@hitar.org International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0026 Received: 06 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 17 Sep., 2024 Published: 09 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li X., Wang Y.L., and Chen J., 2024, Heritability of important phenotypic traits in bird populations, International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 14(5): 281-289 (doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0026) Abstract Phenotypic traits in bird populations are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, and understanding their heritability is crucial for evolutionary studies. This study explores the heritability of important phenotypic traits in bird populations, covering morphological, behavioral, and physiological traits, discusses factors that influence heritability, such as environmental effects and gene-environment interactions, and presents a case study on the heritability of plumage coloration in zebra finches, providing insights into the genetic and environmental contributions to this trait and comparing findings with other avian species. This study emphasizes the importance of heritability in natural selection, its impact on population dynamics, and implications for conservation strategies. Future research should focus on exploring the genetic basis of a broader range of traits and the interplay between genetics and environmental influences in various bird species. Keywords Phenotypic traits; Heritability; Bird populations; Zebra finch; Evolutionary biology 1 Introduction Phenotypic traits in birds encompass a wide range of characteristics, including morphological, behavioral, and physiological attributes. These traits are crucial for survival and reproduction, influencing factors such as foraging efficiency, predator avoidance, and mating success. For instance, morphological traits like bill size and shape, wing length, and body mass are often subject to natural selection and can vary significantly among populations (Silva et al., 2017; Subasinghe et al., 2021). Behavioral traits, such as migratory patterns and exploratory behavior, also play a vital role in the adaptability and fitness of bird species (Winney et al., 2018; Dochtermann et al., 2019; Lin et al., 2024). Understanding the heritability of phenotypic traits is essential for predicting how bird populations will respond to environmental changes and selection pressures. Heritability estimates indicate the proportion of phenotypic variation attributable to genetic factors, providing insights into the potential for evolutionary change (Cava et al., 2019; Walsh, 2022). For example, high heritability in traits like bill morphology suggests a strong genetic basis, which can facilitate rapid adaptation to changing environments (Lundregan et al., 2018). Conversely, traits with low heritability may be more influenced by environmental factors, highlighting the need for conservation strategies that consider habitat management (Cohen and Dor, 2018). This study synthesizes current knowledge on the heritability of important phenotypic traits in bird populations, highlights the genetic architecture underlying these traits and discuss the implications for evolutionary dynamics and conservation, and provides a comprehensive understanding of how genetic and environmental factors interact to shape phenotypic diversity in birds, with the aim of identifying gaps in the current literature and suggest directions for future research to enhance our understanding of heritability and its role in avian evolution. 2 Fundamentals of Heritability 2.1 Definition of heritability Heritability is a measure that quantifies the proportion of phenotypic variation in a population that can be attributed to genetic variation among individuals. It is a dimensionless measure that allows for the comparison of the importance of genetic factors in explaining individual differences within a population. Heritability does not provide information about the genetic architecture of traits but is crucial for predicting how populations will respond to selection pressures (Yadesa, 2022).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==