17.10.2025, Keeping pace with climate change: Genetic exchange enables rapid adaptation in songbirds

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 published in the journal Science and was conducted under the leadership of the Swiss Ornithological Institute.

The research team investigated the evolutionary development of plumage colouration 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 colour.

Colours tell evolutionary stories
Changes in a single gene – known as agouti signalling 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 colouring eventually replaced the original black. Today, the throats display both colours – 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 Centre 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.’

Evolution as a genetic mosaic
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 colouration in distantly related rock thrushes. The researchers therefore emphasise the importance of preserving genetic diversity both within and between species in order to ensure nature's adaptability in the face of climate change.

Original publication
Lutgen D, Peona V, Chase MA, Kakhki NA, Lammers F, de Souza SG, Ducrest AL, Burri M, Andriopoulos P, Lukhele SM, Moysi M, Yohannes E, Abbasov A, Albayrak T, Aliabadian M, Auchli N, Bontzorlos V, Christoforou I, Copete JL, Fulco E, Garcia JT, Javakhishvili Z, Kazazou A, Lei F, Liu Y, Paposhvili N, Patchett R, Péter Á, Ritter R, Sándor AD, Schneider F, Shurulinkov P, Sklyarenko S, Stumberger B, Tagiyev A, Uboldi A, Vogiatzis N, Taborsak-Lines F, Gruselius J, Yao L, Peichel CL, Suh A, Gagnaire PA, Kirschel ANG, Schweizer M, Schielzeth H, Burri R. A mosaic of modular variation at a single gene underpins convergent plumage coloration. Science. 2025 Oct 16;390(6770):eado8005. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ado8005

Contact
Prof. Alexander Suh
a.suh@leibniz-lib.de

Black- and white-throated males of the Oenanthe hispanica complex.

Male wheatears of the Oenanthe hispanica complex. Left, Western black-eared wheatear. Top and middle right, black-throated and white-throated Eastern black-eared wheatear. Bottom right, Pied wheatear — Male wheatears of the Oenanthe hispanica complex. Left, Western black-eared wheatear (O. hispanica). Top and middle right, black-throated and white-throated Eastern black-eared wheatear (O. melanoleuca). Bottom right, Pied wheatear (O. pleschanka)

Dr. Franziska Ahnert-Michel

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