A hybrid zone revisited: molecular and morphological analysis of the maintenance, movement, and evolution of a Great Plains avian (Cardinalidae: Pheucticus) hybrid zone.

ABSTRACT: Black-headed grosbeaks (Pheucticus melanocephalus) and rose-breasted grosbeaks (Pheucticus ludovicianus) are passerine bird species known to hybridize in the Great Plains of North America. Both extrinsic (environmental) and intrinsic factors (pre- and postzygotic reproductive isolation) have been credited for the generation and maintenance of the grosbeak hybrid zone, but little is known about the genetic characteristics of this hybrid zone. To investigate the stability and extent of the grosbeak hybrid zone, we constructed clines from both molecular sequence data (mtDNA, three autosomal intron loci, and one Z-linked locus) and morphological data (morphometric analyses and hybrid index scores) to determined zone centre and width. Hybrid zone centre and width were also determined for sample

SUBMITTER: Mettler RD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4310549 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature