2025.10.21

Published a paper by staff member of the Institute of Zoology in a foreign journal

Abulfaz Naghi oğlu Taghiyev, Associate Professor, PhD in Biological Sciences, a senior researcher at the Applied Zoology Centre, was a co-author of the paper “A mosaic of modular variation at a single gene underpins convergent plumage coloration”, published in the highly prestigious American journal "Science" (Impact Factor (JCR): 45.8; H-index (SCImago): 59; SJR index: 10.416). The journal is indexed in international databases such as Web of Science and Scopus and belongs to the Q1 quartile.

In the paper, it was determined that the colour changes occur under the influence of a single gene (monogenic). The variations responsible for the colour change occur in the gene known as ASIP (agouti signalling protein). New genetic material entered this gene via introgression (genetic exchange between species). The authors propose that the interspecific changes in colour driven by this gene are associated with different foraging behaviours. As a result, it is shown that a single gene can cause similar outward appearances in different species, and that this is an example of convergent evolution. The high-scientific-value article is the outcome of the work of 48 leading researchers from about 20 countries (China, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey, Greece, Kazakhstan, Finland, Cyprus, etc.).