DNA Variations and the Diversity of Pigeons

The New York Times has an interesting science article on genome sequencing of pigeon DNA, which is being used to study how a few genetic variations can lead to great diversity of species (there are over 130 species of pigeons and doves, which are a form of pigeon). The article is a font of interesting factoids, such as the practice of Charles Darwin and Thomas Jefferson each in raising pigeons; the use by those as diverse as the ancient Greeks to Genghis Khan of pigeons as messengers, the fact that Akbar the Great always traveled with a colony of 10,000 pigeons. The NYT's article arises from an article in Science, which traced the genetic variations of pigeon DNA (and confirms, among other things, that the progenitor is Rock Pigeons, as Darwin thought).

Interesting as all of that is, what I liked most about the article was its photo spread on pigeon variations, which was rally beautiful. It's worth clicking through to. (A few examples below.)