The genomic basis of plumage polymorphism in the Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio)

Understanding the genetic basis of polymorphic traits is useful for exploring the origin and maintenance of variable phenotypes. Previous work on color polymorphism in birds has evolved from targeting candidate genes to whole genome scans, consequently revealing the often-complex genomic architecture underlying polymorphic coloration. The Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) is a small North American polymorphic forest owl in which both gray and rufous plumage morphs are common across much of its range. We generated the first de novo genome assembly for the Eastern Screech-Owl for use as a reference for whole genome resequenced to investigate the genomic basis of plumage polymorphic in this species.