Research finds ALX1 gene responsible for Darwin’s Galapagos finches

Charles Darwin, biologist and the father of evolutionary theory, wrote his notes about the Galapagos finches around 200 years ago and the researchers are still referring to his experiences to unfold the mystery behind the evolution of these iconic birds.

Modern scientists accomplished this goal by returning to the region and picking up where Darwin left off. They studied the genomes sequencing from more than 100 finch specimens towards expanding Darwin’s earliest research on how evolution plays role on physical adaptations.

A team of researchers from the U.S. and Sweden succeeded to find the genetic markers in the finch population that could be linked to the possible development of the birds’ beaks. The study findings are published in the journal call Nature.

The variety of bird beaks among the Galapagos finches could be linked to adaptive radiation triggered by the diverse environments of the islands. Adaptive radiation, a major evolutionary concept, explains that species can develop new traits fairly rapidly in response to the changes to the environment or availability of new resources.

Leif Andersson, a study co-author and genetics professor at the Uppsala University, explained that variation in beak shape is possibly the most striking difference among the Galapagos finches. The team sequenced all 15 of the Galapagos finch species Darwin studied in the Galapagos along with other nearby birds close in genetic relations. They found that sequences were very similar to each other.

However, the team found through their observation of the genetic structure that the ALX1 gene could be primary driver of these evolution in beak shape. The researchers also noted that there are multiple genes that contribute and ALX1 could be the most important one. The team found two main variant for the gene, one for blunted beaks and one for pointed ones.