Contrasting morphometric responses to increasing urbanisation in congeneric sparrow species.

ABSTRACT: Increased urbanisation influences the morphometric traits of various species, often resulting in urban individuals being smaller than their non-urban counterparts. Urbanisation can affect fundamental eco-evolutionary patterns and impact species' ability to adapt to and occupy rapidly changing environments through morphological changes. We investigated the morphometric responses of two passerine species, the non-native house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and its native congener, the Cape sparrow (Passer melanurus), along gradients of spatial and temporal urbanisation in South Africa over a 52-year period. The house sparrow was significantly heavier, larger and in better condition with increasing urban infrastructure and lower urban vegetation cover, while the Cape sparrow showed opposing tren

SUBMITTER: Naidoo SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11246440 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature