This anomaly is attributed to the chicken’s early improvement, involving genetic-level modifications resulting in the differentiation of cells into each female and male traits, leading to a bilateral gynandromorphic chicken. The discovery was made by University of Otago zoologist Professor Hamish Spencer throughout a vacation in Colombia.
Amateur ornithologist John Morillo noticed the uncommon Green Honeycreeper, capturing photos of its distinct half-green (feminine) and half-blue (male) plumage. The chicken’s rarity is obvious because it was photographed for the primary time. Both consultants managed to seize a glimpse of the bilateral gynandromorph, visually documenting this uncommon prevalence.
The chicken displays feminine traits on one facet and male traits on the opposite, scientifically known as bilateral gynandromorphism. Consequently, one facet has male plumage (feathers), and the opposite facet has feminine plumage, together with corresponding reproductive organs.
Details of the findings have been revealed within the Journal of Field Ornithology, emphasising the shock that that is the one recorded instance of gynandromorphism within the species in over 100 years.
The chicken’s distinctive attribute is attributed to double fertilization by two sperm cells throughout the feminine cell division course of. This sheds mild on avian sexual behaviour by each female and male traits, leading to gynandromorphs.
This specific bilateral gynandromorph highlights that both facet of the chicken can change into male or feminine. Understanding avian species and their sexual behaviour is essential for comprehending their rarity and significance.
It’s important to notice that gynandromorphism differs from hermaphroditism, the place an individual possesses each female and male reproductive organs concurrently.