Head Crests (IMAGE)

SMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)

Head Crests

Caption

Left: an uncrested racing homer pigeon with normal copies of the EphB2 gene. Right: an Old Dutch Capuchine pigeon with an elaborate 'mane' crest of reversed feathers. The crest results from a mutant version of the EphB2 gene that is found in all crested pigeons, and other genetic changes that make the crest more extensive. A mutation in EphB2 is also associated with head crests in a different species, the ringneck dove.

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Photo credit: Sydney Stringham

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