Phenotypic Variation is Clinal in the Yellow-Throated Warbler

Subspecies are assumed to have unique evolutionary histories, but molecular data sometimes contradict subspecies designations based on morphology. A recent genetic survey of the Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica) found that none of its three continental subspecies qualified as evolutionari...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Condor (Los Angeles, Calif.) Calif.), 2008-08, Vol.110 (3), p.569-574
Main Author: McKay, Bailey D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal morphology
Biological taxonomies
Birds
Carotenoids
Dendroica dominica
Discriminants
Evolution
Evolutionary genetics
geographic variation
Geography
Literary characters
Mitochondrial DNA
Museums
Ornithology
Phenotypic variation
Phenotypic variations
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS
subspecies
Warblers
Yellow-throated Warbler
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Summary:Subspecies are assumed to have unique evolutionary histories, but molecular data sometimes contradict subspecies designations based on morphology. A recent genetic survey of the Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica) found that none of its three continental subspecies qualified as evolutionarily significant units. I performed a range-wide morphological assessment of the continental Yellow-throated Warbler subspecies in an effort to quantify their differences and examine if and how subspecific differences related to geography. Results indicated much overlap in the morphological characters most important in diagnosing Yellow-throated Warbler subspecies (bill length and the proportion of yellow in the lores), and discriminant function analysis failed to correctly assign most individuals, especially those collected near a subspecies border. There was a strong west-to-east clinal change in bill length and the proportion of yellow in the lores and no evidence of discrete morphological groups. I recommend eliminating the subspecies D. d. albilora and D. d. stoddardi because they cannot be reliably diagnosed by morphology or mtDNA.
ISSN:0010-5422
1938-5129
2732-4621
DOI:10.1525/cond.2008.8482