Sympatry drives colour and song evolution in wood-warblers (Parulidae).

ABSTRACT: Closely related species often exhibit similarities in appearance and behaviour, yet when related species exist in sympatry, signals may diverge to enhance species recognition. Prior comparative studies provided mixed support for this hypothesis, but the relationship between sympatry and signal divergence is likely nonlinear. Constraints on signal diversity may limit signal divergence, especially when large numbers of species are sympatric. We tested the effect of sympatric overlap on plumage colour and song divergence in wood-warblers (Parulidae), a speciose group with diverse visual and vocal signals. We also tested how number of sympatric species influences signal divergence. Allopatric species pairs had overall greater plumage and song divergence compared to sympatric species pairs. How

SUBMITTER: Simpson RK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7892414 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature