Three new recessive behavior mutants in the domestic pigeon

Behav Genet. 1994 Mar;24(2):181-6. doi: 10.1007/BF01067822.

Abstract

Descriptions and breeding tests are reported for three new mutants producing uncoordinated behavior in the domestic pigeon, Columba livia. They were discovered by fanciers separately and have been named "erratic," "wobbly," and "crazy." The affected birds can survive and breed in cages, with some difficulty. All have shown simple autosomal recessive inheritance, and at least "erratic" and "crazy" are not alleles. Maintenance of the mutants is generally best from matings of heterozygotes. Gene symbols proposed for the mutants are er, wo, and cy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arousal / genetics
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • Columbidae / genetics*
  • Female
  • Flight, Animal / physiology
  • Genes, Recessive / genetics*
  • Male
  • Models, Genetic
  • Motor Skills / physiology*
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / physiology*