Insight to Feralization from Genomes and Social Media

Domestic animals that escape captivity experience radical changes in selection regimes, but their evolutionary responses have not been well studied. Here we highlight three findings from ongoing assessments of the origins, variability, and recent evolution of feral chickens (Gallus gallus) on Kauai Island, Hawaii:

a) Recent admixture between domestic breeds and Red Junglefowl (a wild, conspecific relative) has enhanced the genetic and phenotypic variation available to selection on Kauai
b) Feral genomes evince recent adaptation at loci that are distinct from previously-identified "domestication genes." These candidate "feralisation genes" have important consequences for sexual and reproductive traits.
c) Kauai's feral G. gallus have transitioned from the ancestral, seasonal breeding pattern to year-round reproduction. This may stem from genetic introgression from layer breeds, and likely abetted recent population growth.

Our analyses were enhanced by data extracted from social media. We therefore also discuss possibilities and pitfalls of this novel approach to eco-evolutionary sensing. Together, our findings from genomic and social media analyses yield several new insights concerining feral population biology. Chiefly, we find that recombination between ancestral and artificially-selected traits can be advantageous during feralization.