Where And When Does A Ring Start And End? Testing The Ring Species Hypothesis In A Species Complex Of Australian Parrots

Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Genetics;  Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 30 Jul 2008 - 2:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Some of the biggest names in 20th century evolutionary biology such as Ernst Mayr and A.J. Cain considered that eastern Australian parrots of the Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans group exemplified the phenomenon of ring speciation whereby reproductive isolation develops despite gene flow.

Using powerful tools of modern molecular genetics, the authors show that things are not always as they seem and that these birds still hold surprises.

Indeed, the molecular data suggest that complex patterns of selection and genetic drift coupled with Pleistocene landscape changes impacting the birds' geographical range are needed to understand the group's history.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences