On a seemingly ordinary day on vacation in Colombia, biologist Hamish Spencer's daily routine was changed by a rare and fascinating discovery.
Led by John Murillo, an enthusiast for the study of BirdsSpencer turned his attention to a strange specimen of the Green Tanager (Chlorophanes spiza) nearby.
Source: Ney Garcia/Shutterstock
Properties of Green Sai
The Green Tanager (Chlorophanes spiza) is one species fascinating, captivating the viewer with its remarkable beauty and special properties.
These birds belong to the family Thraupidae and exhibit striking sexual dimorphism, with females being predominantly green in color while males stand out for their bright blue tones.
In addition to its lush coloration, the Green Tanager is known for its acrobatic skills and elegance in flight, making it an enchanting presence in the tropical habitats in which it is found.
Their diet consists primarily of fruits, nectar and insects, which contributes to their important role in pollination and seed dispersal in the local ecology.
With a distribution that includes parts of South America from Mexico to Argentina, the Green Tanager is a species that highlights the diversity and beauty of tropical birdlife.
The extraordinary Green Tanager: half green, half blue
While feather coloration usually reveals a bird's gender, something unusual caught Spencer's attention. Green tanagers are usually recognized by the color green in females and blue in males.
However, the bird in question had a unique split: it was half green and half blue. What could explain this fascinating phenomenon?
Bilateral gynandromorphism: a fascinating anomaly
The bilaterally gynandromorphic green tanager exceeds all expectations and reveals a rare phenomenon known as bilateral gynandromorphism. This phenomenon occurs in animals whose species usually have different sexes.
The origin of this phenomenon lies in an error in the woman's cell division during egg production, followed by double fertilization by two sperm. The result is a creature that exhibits both male and female characteristics.
Strange occurrence in groups with strong sexual dimorphism
Although bilateral gynandromorphism is more common in species with strong sexual dimorphism, such as: insectsIn crustaceans, spiders, lizards and rodents, the occurrence in birds is considered rare.
Hamish Spencer emphasizes the importance of this phenomenon for understanding the sexual behavior of birds.
The extraordinary case in Colombia: second record in more than 100 years
The Colombia incident represents only the second documented example of gynandromorphism in the green tanager species in more than a century.
According to the research, this unique finding suggests that both sides of the bird could have male or female characteristics.
The bilaterally gynandromorphic green tanager of Colombia has become a valuable piece in the puzzle of bird biology and sexual behavior.
The discovery of halfmale, halffemale green tanagers in Colombia not only highlights the fascinating diversity of the animal world, but also offers valuable insights into rare biological phenomena.
Bilateral gynandromorphism, although rare in birds, contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the genetics and sexual behavior of these animals.