Ephemeral Speciation in a New Guinean Honeyeater Complex (Aves: Melidectes).

ABSTRACT: Speciation is a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, and understanding the mechanisms driving speciation remains the foremost research topic within this field. Hybridisation is often involved in speciation and can influence its rates, potentially accelerating, decelerating or even reversing the process. This study investigates the evolutionary history of the New Guinean bird genus Melidectes, consisting of six species that inhabit various montane regions at different elevations. While most Melidectes species have allopatric distributions, two species overlap in the central mountain range and hybridise. However, plumage differences and elevational adaptations are assumed to maintain the species' boundaries. Utilising specimens from natural history collections and comprehensive genom

SUBMITTER: Muller IA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12573753 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature