First Evidence of <i>Phylloscopus collybita abietinus</i> in Sicily: A Morphological and Molecular Perspective.

ABSTRACT: The "Chiffchaff complex" is a group of species with several similar subspecies, whose post-breeding distribution remains poorly understood, particularly in southern Europe. This study combines morphological and molecular approaches to investigate the subspecific composition and phenological patterns of Chiffchaffs captured in eastern Sicily. A total of 380 individuals were biometrically measured, with particular focus on wing length of P8 feather, and 81 individuals were genetically analyzed using ND2 mitochondrial marker. Morphological analysis highlighted significant variation in P8 length between phenological groups. Assuming that a turnover of individuals from different origins may occur in the study area, genetic investigation was deemed necessary to further investigate this hi

SUBMITTER: Manganaro G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12785129 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature