Rapidly accumulating genome sequence information in birds, which show several unique
genomic features, provides novel insights into evolutionary genomics. The avian karyotype …

The cytological analysis of meiotic chromosomes is an exceptional tool to approach complex
processes such as synapsis and recombination during the division. Chromosome studies of …

Several lines of evidence suggest that the X chromosome plays a large role in intrinsic
postzygotic isolation. The role of the Z chromosome in speciation is much less understood …

Speciation often involves repeated episodes of genetic contact between divergent
populations before reproductive isolation (RI) is complete. Whole‐genome sequencing …

Bird song plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of prezygotic
reproductive barriers. When two closely related species come into secondary contact, song …

The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) is the largest
chromosome and has a unique system of transmission in germ cells. In the male, the GRC …

Crossover rates and localization are not homogeneous throughout the genomes. Along the
chromosomes of almost all species, domains with high crossover rates alternate with …

All extant birds share the same sex-chromosome system: ZZ males and ZW females with
striking differences in the stages of sex-chromosome differentiation between the primitive …

Centromeres usually consist of hundreds of kilobases of repetitive sequence which renders
them difficult to assemble. As a consequence, centromeres are often missing from …

Homologous chromosomes exchange genetic information through recombination during
meiotic synapsis, a process that increases genetic diversity and is fundamental to sexual …