Vocal, morphological, and molecular interactions between vireo taxa in Alberta

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dc.contributor.advisorLein, M. Ross
dc.contributor.authorLovell, Scott Foley
dc.date.accessioned2017-12-18T22:14:45Z
dc.date.available2017-12-18T22:14:45Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 160-189en
dc.descriptionIncludes copy of certification of animal care. Original copy with original Partial Copyright Licence.en
dc.description.abstractDuring the Pleistocene glaciations split the ranges of many North American species into disjunct populations that survived within ice-free refugia. These populations subsequently diverged genetically and phenotypically. After the glaciers receded many of these sister populations came into secondary contact and show distinct eastern and western forms (taxa). Such populations demonstrate various stages of speciation with some having reached partial, but not complete, reproductive isolation. One such example is provided by two subspecies of the Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus). The Eastern Warbling Vireo (Vireo g. gilvus) and the Western Warbling Vireo (V g. swainsoni) come into secondary contact in central Alberta. A previous study found differences in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) between the two taxa, and antidotal accounts suggest differences in song, morphology, and plumage coloration as well. My objectives were to analyze whether patterns of variation in mtDNA (Cyt b), song, morphometrics, and plumage are sufficiently distinct between the taxa to warrant their recognition as separate biological species, and to infer the level of hybridization occurring in the contact zone. My results indicate that the two taxa of Warbling Vireo are distinct in all of the characters examined. The two taxa come into contact in a very narrow ( < 50 km) area in Barrhead County northwest of Edmonton, Alberta. They show few signs of extensive hybridization. The distinct differences are maintained in the contact zone, where individuals of the two taxa were found occupying neighboring territories. These results lead me to conclude that they two taxa represent two distinct cryptic species: an eastern form, Vireo gilvus, and a western form, Vireo swainsoni. My findings add to the list of cryptic species discovered in the last 10 years, using DNA along with more traditional taxonomic characters (morphology and plumage). My results further our understanding the selective forces that maintain narrow contact zones, and gives insight into the evolutionary history shaping the biota of Alberta.
dc.format.extentxxi, 199 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationLovell, S. F. (2010). Vocal, morphological, and molecular interactions between vireo taxa in Alberta (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/3894en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/3894
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/104895
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.titleVocal, morphological, and molecular interactions between vireo taxa in Alberta
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineBiological Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 1944 627942787
ucalgary.thesis.notesUARCen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
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