Genetic evidence of hybridization of the world's most endangered tern, the Chinese Crested Tern Thalasseus bernsteini. (12th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Jia; Chen, Guoling; Yuan, Leyang; Huang, Qin; Fan, Zhongyong; Lu, Yiwei; Liu, Yang; Chen, Shuihua
• Is Part Of: Ibis. Volume 160:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 900
• Page End: 906
• Publication Date: 2018-06-12
• Subjects: China -- introgression -- phylogenetic position -- Red‐list species -- Z‐linked; Birds -- Periodicals; 598
• DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0019-1019

Abstract

Abstract : We collected multi‐locus data to test whether hybridization has occurred between a critically endangered waterbird, the Chinese Crested Tern Thalasseus bernsteini, and the Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii . Phylogenetic analysis shows these two tern species are sister species, having diverged < 1 million years ago. Our findings suggest a grave threat to the survival of the Chinese Crested Tern, and illustrate the need for conservation managers to monitor further hybridization of this endangered tern species.