Heritability of plumage colour morph variation in a wild population of promiscuous, long-lived Australian magpies.

ABSTRACT: Colour polymorphisms have evolutionary significance for the generation and maintenance of species diversity. Demonstrating heritability of polymorphic traits can be challenging for wild populations of long-lived species because accurate information is required on trait expression and familial relationships. The Australian magpie Cracticus tibicen has a continent-wide distribution featuring several distinct plumage morphs, differing primarily in colour of back feathers. Black or white-backed morphs occur in eastern Australia, with intermediate morphs common in a narrow hybrid zone where the two morphs meet. This study investigated heritability of back colour phenotypes in a hybrid zone population (Seymour, Victoria) based on long-term observational data and DNA samples collected over an 18

SUBMITTER: Dobson AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6781111 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature