Article
A dominant allele controls development into female mimic male and diminutive female ruffs.
Biology letters - 1 Jan 2013
Lank David B, Farrell Lindsay L, Burke Terry, Piersma Theunis, McRae Susan B
Abstract excerpt
Maintaining polymorphisms for genes with effects of ecological significance may involve conflicting selection in males and females. We present data from a captive population of ruffs (Philomachus pugnax) showing that a dominant allele controls development into both small, 'female mimic' males ('faeders'), and a previously undescribed class of small 'female faeders'. Most male ruffs have elaborate breeding plumage...
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