The Transcriptional Landscape of Seasonal Coat Color Moult in the Snowshoe Hare

In the 2017 study, researchers explored the genetic mechanisms behind the seasonal coat color change in snowshoe hares by analyzing gene expression across three moulting stages. They found 766 genes differentially expressed, with a significant number upregulated during the transition from the quiescent to the proliferative stage of hair growth in the "white" pelage. The study revealed distinct patterns of gene expression and identified key genes related to the hair growth cycle, pigmentation, and circadian rhythm. The findings suggest that while coat color is an indicator of seasonal change, there is a delay between gene expression changes and the visible coat color change. This research enhances the understanding of the genetic regulation of seasonal traits and provides a foundation for future studies on phenotypic plasticity in hares and other species.