Open AccessPhylogenetic differentiation of Sylvia species (Aves: Passeriformes) of the Atlantic islands (Macaronesia) based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data and morphometrics
Author(s) -
DIETZEN CHRISTIAN,
GARCIADELREY EDUARDO,
CASTRO GUILLERMO D.,
WINK MICHAEL
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
biological journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1095-8312
pISSN - 0024-4066
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01005.x
Subject(s) - morphometrics , biology , phylogeography , zoology , phylogenetic tree , taxon , cytochrome b , range (aeronautics) , genetic divergence , warbler , ecology , evolutionary biology , genetic diversity , habitat , population , gene , biochemistry , materials science , demography , sociology , composite material
Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1063 bp) of Sylvia species from Macaronesia (Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores), Europe, and North Africa revealed new insights into the phylogeography of these taxa. Subspecific distinctiveness for Sardinian warblers ( Sylvia melanocephala ) from the Canary Islands was rejected on the basis of very low genetic divergence, distribution of haplotypes, and high variation in morphometrics. Furthermore, blackcaps ( Sylvia atricapilla ) from Madeira, Canary Islands, and the Azores were not genetically distinct, whereas morphometrics were highly variable. Differences in morphometrics in both Sardinian warbler and blackcap are caused rather by migratory behaviour and ecological traits than by phylogeny. Tentative data obtained in a small sample of spectacled warblers ( Sylvia conspicillata ) also suggest a low degree of differentiation between Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis (Canary Islands) and Sylvia conspicillata conspicillata (Mediterranean basin). At least for the Sardinian warbler and blackcap, the genetic data suggest a recent range expansion and chronologically different colonization events to the Atlantic islands. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 95 , 157–174.