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Climate change is rapidly altering our environment—and posing major challenges for many animal species. Whether they can adapt depends largely on their genetic diversity. An international study involving researchers from the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) now shows how closely genetic diversity and adaptability are linked. The work was in the journal Science and was conducted under the leadership of the Swiss Ornithological Institute.

The research team investigated the evolutionary development of plumage coloration in wheatears (genus Oenanthe). Their findings showed that closely related species were able to adapt quickly to new environmental conditions through the exchange of genetic material responsible for plumage color.

Colors tell evolutionary stories

Changes in a single gene—known as agouti signaling protein (ASIP)—led to white plumage on the throat and back of the Balkan wheatear (Oenanthe melanoleuca). The underlying mutations arose during the natural course of evolution and were identified through comprehensive genome comparisons and population genetic analyses.

These genetic variants were then passed on to the North African wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica) through crossbreeding. In both species, the white back coloring eventually replaced the original black. Today, the throats display both colors—black and white—which is related to the animals' different food niches.

"Our results impressively demonstrate that evolutionary innovations are often the result of a genetic mosaic," says Prof. Alexander Suh, head of the Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research and the Molecular Biodiversity Section at LIB. "The exchange of genetic information across species boundaries gives rise to new combinations of genetic modules—a process that can help species adapt quickly to new environmental conditions."

While rapid genetic exchange between closely related species enables short-term adaptations, the emergence of entirely new genetic variants was crucial for the long-term evolution of plumage coloration in distantly related rock thrushes. The researchers therefore emphasize the importance of preserving genetic diversity both within and between species in order to ensure nature's adaptability in the face of climate change.