| investigating the role of the melanocortin-1 receptor gene in an extreme case of microgeographical variation in the pattern of melanin-based plumage pigmentation. | the réunion grey white-eye (zosterops borbonicus) is a single-island endemic passerine bird that exhibits striking geographically structured melanic polymorphism at a very small spatial scale. we investigated the genetic basis of this color polymorphism by testing whether the melanocortin-1 receptor (mc1r), a gene often involved in natural melanic polymorphism in birds, was associated with the observed plumage variation. although we found three non-synonymous mutations, we detected no associatio ... | 2012 | 23227219 |