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An article co-authored by Assoc. Prof. Abulfaz Taghiyev, Head of the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the Faculty of Biology of Baku State University (BSU), has been published in one of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals, Science.
The paper entitled “A mosaic of modular variation at a single gene underpins convergent plumage coloration” explores the genetic mechanisms underlying variation in feather coloration among wheatears (Oenanthe spp.). The study found that changes in coloration are driven by the effect of a single gene — ASIP (agouti signaling protein). It also demonstrated that this gene can incorporate new genetic material via introgression between species, showing that the same gene can produce similar phenotypic traits across different species — a striking example of convergent evolution.
In addition to feather color, the study suggests that these genetic variations may also influence distinct foraging behaviors, highlighting broader biological implications.
Science is indexed in major international scientific databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, ranking in the Q1 quartile, and is among the world’s highest-impact scientific journals (Impact Factor: 45.8, high H-index).
This high-impact research represents the collaborative work of 48 leading researchers from nearly 20 countries, including China, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Türkiye, Greece, Kazakhstan, Finland, Cyprus, and others.
Full article: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado8005
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