Owls come in two colors: pale gray and dark brown. Researchers have long noticed an interesting pattern: Gray owls live in colder regions, while their tawny cousins thrive in warmer regions. This gave rise to the suspicion that color is not only aesthetic but also adaptation to harsh environmental conditions.
Scientists sequenced the entire owl genome and analyzed hundreds of owl samples. They found two key genetic variants that not only predict whether an owl will become a gray owl, but also appear to affect basic functions needed to survive in the cold.
These functions include energy management, fat storage, and even response to starvation, which are critical adaptations for harsh winters. The principal investigator of the study, Dr. “These results suggest that different plumage colors may be an adaptive response to climate,” said Miguel Baltazar-Soares.
As cold regions lose snow and warm up, the study predicts changes in owl populations. Gray owls that were previously well adapted to these areas may have difficulty as brown plumage becomes more advantageous.
Further studies are needed to confirm the full functionality of the identified genes.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
