Genetic and morphological shifts associated with climate change in a migratory bird.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rapid morphological change is emerging as a consequence of climate change in many systems. It is intuitive to hypothesize that temporal morphological trends are driven by the same selective pressures that have established well-known ecogeographic patterns over spatial environmental gradients (e.g., Bergman's and Allen's rules). However, mechanistic understanding of contemporary morphological shifts is lacking.

Results

We combine morphological data and whole genome sequencing from a four-decade dataset in the migratory bird hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus) to test whether morphological shifts over time are accompanied by genetic change. Using genome-wide association, we identify alleles associated with body size, bill length, and wing length. Shifts in morphology

SUBMITTER: Adams N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11705884 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature