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Observation of a ZZW female in a natural population: implications for avian sex determination

Arlt, D ; Bensch, Staffan LU ; Hansson, Bengt LU orcid ; Hasselquist, Dennis LU and Westerdahl, Helena LU (2004) In Royal Society of London. Proceedings B. Biological Sciences 271(S4). p.249-251
Abstract
Avian sex determination is chromosomal; however, the underlying mechanisms are not yet understood. There is no conclusive evidence for either of two proposed mechanisms: a dominant genetic switch or a dosage mechanism. No dominant sex-determining gene on the female-specific W chromosome has been found. Birds lack inactivation of one of the Z chromosomes in males, but seem to compensate for a double dose of Z-linked genes by other mechanisms. Recent studies showing female-specific expression of two genes may support an active role of the W chromosome. To resolve the question of avian sex determination the investigation of birds with a 2A: ZZW or 2A: Z0 genotype would be decisive. Here, we report the case of an apparent 2A: ZZW great reed... (More)
Avian sex determination is chromosomal; however, the underlying mechanisms are not yet understood. There is no conclusive evidence for either of two proposed mechanisms: a dominant genetic switch or a dosage mechanism. No dominant sex-determining gene on the female-specific W chromosome has been found. Birds lack inactivation of one of the Z chromosomes in males, but seem to compensate for a double dose of Z-linked genes by other mechanisms. Recent studies showing female-specific expression of two genes may support an active role of the W chromosome. To resolve the question of avian sex determination the investigation of birds with a 2A: ZZW or 2A: Z0 genotype would be decisive. Here, we report the case of an apparent 2A: ZZW great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) female breeding in a natural population, which was detected using Z-linked microsatellites. Our data strongly suggest a role of W-linked genes in avian sex determination. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Royal Society of London. Proceedings B. Biological Sciences
volume
271
issue
S4
pages
249 - 251
publisher
Royal Society Publishing
external identifiers
  • wos:000221321100037
  • scopus:2342614202
  • pmid:15252998
ISSN
1471-2954
DOI
10.1098/rsbl.2003.0155
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
766e1bfb-9878-40fb-a66e-74e352761e4f (old id 137007)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 16:00:36
date last changed
2022-03-22 07:48:58
@article{766e1bfb-9878-40fb-a66e-74e352761e4f,
  abstract     = {{Avian sex determination is chromosomal; however, the underlying mechanisms are not yet understood. There is no conclusive evidence for either of two proposed mechanisms: a dominant genetic switch or a dosage mechanism. No dominant sex-determining gene on the female-specific W chromosome has been found. Birds lack inactivation of one of the Z chromosomes in males, but seem to compensate for a double dose of Z-linked genes by other mechanisms. Recent studies showing female-specific expression of two genes may support an active role of the W chromosome. To resolve the question of avian sex determination the investigation of birds with a 2A: ZZW or 2A: Z0 genotype would be decisive. Here, we report the case of an apparent 2A: ZZW great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) female breeding in a natural population, which was detected using Z-linked microsatellites. Our data strongly suggest a role of W-linked genes in avian sex determination.}},
  author       = {{Arlt, D and Bensch, Staffan and Hansson, Bengt and Hasselquist, Dennis and Westerdahl, Helena}},
  issn         = {{1471-2954}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{S4}},
  pages        = {{249--251}},
  publisher    = {{Royal Society Publishing}},
  series       = {{Royal Society of London. Proceedings B. Biological Sciences}},
  title        = {{Observation of a ZZW female in a natural population: implications for avian sex determination}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/4542054/624625.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.1098/rsbl.2003.0155}},
  volume       = {{271}},
  year         = {{2004}},
}