An allelic series at the EDNRB2 locus controls diverse piebalding patterns in the domestic pigeon

Abstract

Variation in pigment patterns within and among vertebrate species reflects underlying changes in cell migration and function that can impact health, reproductive success, and survival. The domestic pigeon (Columba livia) is an exceptional model for understanding the genetic changes that give rise to diverse pigment patterns, as selective breeding has given rise to hundreds of breeds with extensive variation in plumage color and pattern. Here, we map the genetic architecture of a suite of pigmentation phenotypes known as piebalding. Piebalding is characterized by patches of pigmented and non-pigmented feathers, and these plumage patterns are often breed-specific and stable across generations. Using a combination of quantitative trait locus mapping in F2 laboratory crosses and genome-wide association analysis, we identify a locus associated with piebalding across many pigeon breeds. This shared locus harbors a candidate gene, EDNRB2, that is a known regulator of pigment cell migration, proliferation, and survival. We discover multiple distinct haplotypes at the EDNRB2 locus in piebald pigeons, which include a mix of protein-coding, noncoding, and structural variants that are associated with depigmentation in specific plumage regions. These results identify a role for EDNRB2 in pigment patterning in the domestic pigeon, and highlight how repeated selection at a single locus can generate a diverse array of stable and heritable pigment patterns. AUTHOR SUMMARYBoth wild and domestic birds show striking variation in pigment patterning, and these pigment patterns can play critical roles in mate choice, communication, and camouflage. Despite the importance of pigment patterning for survival and reproductive success, the mechanisms that control pigment patterning remain incompletely understood. In domestic pigeons, artificial selection has given rise to a wide array of pigmentation patterns within a single species, including a suite of phenotypes called "piebalding" that is characterized by regional loss of feather pigment. Here, we took advantage of the wide array of distinct piebalding phenotypes in domestic pigeons to map the genetic basis of region-specific loss of plumage pigment. Rather than focusing on a single piebalding pattern, we sought to broadly understand genetic control of regional pigment loss by examining several breeds with different piebalding patterns. We compared the genomes of piebald and non-piebald pigeons using both genetic crosses and genome-wide association studies, and identified several genetic changes affecting the endothelin receptor gene EDNRB2. Our findings highlight how independent mutations at a single locus can drive diversification of plumage pigment patterning within a species.