The ruff's three types have coexisted for millions of years. The original genome produces what's called an "independent" male, making up 80 percent to 95 percent of the male population.

image: Independent male ruff at lek with colourful ruff and head tuft. view more . Credit: Ola Jennersten. ... Three different types of ruff males occur at the leks of this species.

Male phenotypes in the ruff. (Left) Independent ruff males interacting at a lek. (Right) A Satellite ruff male with pale ornamental feathers at a lek. Photos courtesy of Tom Schandy. Ruff males ...

Studies of a distinctive wading bird have identified a genetic quirk which gives rise to three types of male bird within the same species, according to researchers. Scientists at the University of ...

The ruff is a magnificent example. This small wader from the wetlands of northern Europe and Asia has not one but three types of male, differing in appearance and reproductive strategy.

A single gene orchestrates androgen variation underlying male mating morphs in ruffs. Science , 2025; 387 (6732): 406 DOI: 10.1126/science.adp5936 Cite This Page : ...

A single gene that regulates testosterone levels in a "crazy" species of shore bird controls the development of three wildly different types of males, an international study involving researchers ...

Get Instant Summarized Text (GIST) A gene producing the enzyme HSD17B2 regulates testosterone levels in ruffs, a bird species with three distinct male morphs.

Three Ruff male types. Photo: Susan McRae. A single gene that regulates testosterone levels in a “crazy” species of shore bird controls the development of three wildly different types of males, an ...