Integrative tracking methods elucidate the evolutionary dynamics of a migratory divide.

ABSTRACT: Migratory divides, the boundary between adjacent bird populations that migrate in different directions, are of considerable interest to evolutionary biologists because of their alleged role in speciation of migratory birds. However, the small size of many passerines has traditionally limited the tools available to track populations and as a result, restricted our ability to study how reproductive isolation might occur across a divide. Here, we integrate multiple approaches by using genetic, geolocator, and morphological data to investigate a migratory divide in hermit thrushes (Catharus guttatus). First, high genetic divergence between migratory groups indicates the divide is a region of secondary contact between historically isolated populations. Second, despite low sample sizes, geolocat

SUBMITTER: Alvarado AH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4228619 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature