Introgression between non-sister species of honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae) several million years after speciation. (3rd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Joseph, Leo; Drew, Alex; Mason, Ian J; Peters, Jeffrey L
• Is Part Of: Biological journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 128:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 583
• Page End: 591
• Publication Date: 2019-10-03
• Subjects: Australia -- gene flow -- honeyeaters -- introgression -- Meliphagidae -- non-sister species -- sex chromosomes -- speciation genomics; Biology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-4066

Abstract

Abstract: We reassessed whether two parapatric non-sister Australian honeyeater species (Aves: Meliphagidae), varied and mangrove honeyeaters ( Gavicalis versicolor and G. fasciogularis, respectively), that diverged from a common ancestor c. 2.5 Mya intergrade in the Townsville area of north-eastern Queensland. Consistent with a previous specimen-based study, by using genomics methods we show one-way gene flow for autosomal but not Z-linked markers from varied into mangrove honeyeaters. Introgression barely extends south of the area of parapatry in and around the city of Townsville. While demonstrating the long-term porosity of species boundaries over several million years, our data also suggest a clear role of sex chromosomes in maintaining reproductive isolation.