Phenotypic divergence during speciation is inversely associated with differences in seasonal migration.

ABSTRACT: Differences in seasonal migration might promote reproductive isolation and differentiation by causing populations in migratory divides to arrive on the breeding grounds at different times and/or produce hybrids that take inferior migratory routes. We examined this question by quantifying divergence in song, colour, and morphology between sister pairs of North American migratory birds. We predicted that apparent rates of phenotypic differentiation would differ between pairs that do and do not form migratory divides. Consistent with this prediction, results from mixed effects models and Ornstein-Uhlenbeck models of evolution showed different rates of divergence between these groups; surprisingly, differentiation was greater among non-divide pairs. We interpret this finding as a result of var

SUBMITTER: Delmore KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4685813 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature