Rapid polygenic response to secondary contact in a hybrid species.

ABSTRACT: Secondary contact between closely related species can have genetic consequences. Competition for essential resources may lead to divergence in heritable traits that reduces interspecific competition leading to increased rate of genetic divergence. Conversely, hybridization and backcrossing can lead to genetic convergence. Here, we study a population of a hybrid species, the Italian sparrow (Passer italiae), before and after it came into secondary contact with one of its parent species, the Spanish sparrow (P. hispaniolensis), in 2013. We demonstrate strong consequences of interspecific competition: Italian sparrows were kept away from a popular feeding site by its parent species, resulting in poorer body condition and a significant drop in population size. Although no signifi

SUBMITTER: Sætre GP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5413929 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature