Study of Plumage of the Four Species of the Genus Gallus

Genetic endangerment of wild Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus?

“…The only portions of the plumage visibly affected are the hackles in the middle of the male's back, which are black and not elongated in the eclipse plumage, in contrast to the elongated, red-orange plumes of the main plumage. Females pass through parallel moults, but resulting plumages are indistinguishable from each other (Morejohn 1968). The eclipse plumage typically occurs in the months of June to September, with moult into the basic plumage as late as October (Johnsgard 1986).…”

“…The eclipse plumage typically occurs in the months of June to September, with moult into the basic plumage as late as October (Johnsgard 1986). Domestic stocks appear to lack this plumage entirely (Morejohn 1968). (2) Leg colour.…”

“…Many observers have noted that most modern captive "Red Junglefowl" lack a male eclipse moult and other plumage characteristics generally considered to typify wild populations (Morejohn 1968). Because individuals from eastern wild populations appear more similar to domestic chickens in these characters, we considered two alternative hypotheses: (1) that two lineages with distinct ontogenetic sequences are present across the species range, domestic stocks deriving from the easternmost populations; and (2) that genetic contamination of wild populations by domestic genes has led to the disappearance of wild-type characters, particularly in the eastern part of the range.…”

BREAKDOWN OF ISOLATION MECHANISMS IN TWO SPECIES OF CAPTIVE JUNGLEFOWL (GALLUS GALLUSANDGALLUS SONNERATII)

“…Had Grey females incubated the hybrid eggs and raised the hybrid chicks, it is highly probable that they would have later accepted the advances of any males brooded and subsequently raised by them. The plumage and voice of these interspecific hybrids resembled both parents and in general intermediacy of most traits prevailed (Morejohn, 1966(Morejohn, ,1968. Data on embryonic mortality, fertility, and hatchability of eggs were obtained for only the followingcrosses: F1 sonneratii-gallus X F1 sonneratii-gallus (Table 2) ; F 1 sonneratii-gallus X Gallus gallus (Table 3); F1 sonneratii-gallus X Gallus sonneratii (Table 3).…”

Playing chicken with red junglefowl: identifying phenotypic markers of genetic purity in Gallus gallus

“…Numerous phenotypic characters have been identified as signals of genetically pure junglefowl genomes. These features include (1) the presence of an eclipse plumage in males between June and September, in which the red or yellow neck hackles are replaced with spatulate black feathers, along with other plumage alterations; (2) absence of a comb and wattles in hens; (3) slender, dark legs; (4) horizontal body posture and carriage of the tail in a horizontal position; (5) a simpler and shorter call (Delacour, 1951; Kimball, 1958; Morejohn, 1968, 1974; Crawford, 1990; Peterson & Brisbin, 1998; Brisbin et al ., 2002). Although these features were used in a recent effort to assess the genetic status of wild populations (Peterson & Brisbin, 1998), no information is available that guarantees that possession of these traits actually assures that a population is free of domestic genes.…”