Evolution of the Mc1r Gene in the Ibis Family

techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing). Population genetic and phylogenetic analysis methods. Evolutionary and population genetic concepts. Scientific writing. Short description: The ibises (Threskiornithidae) are a bird family in which some species have an almost entirely black plumage, some an almost entirely white, and still others a mixed black and white plumage. The Mc1r gene is a candidate gene which may be responsible for this interspecific variation because the gene is involved in black / white polymorphisms in several bird and mammal species. The aim of this project is to assess whether the Mc1r gene is responsible for the variation in pigmentation among ibises, and if so to test whether this variation is adaptive. To do so, we will analyse the DNA sequence evolution of the Mc1r gene in the ibis family and compare this gene with several reference genes