The great tit (Parus major) — a misclassified ring species

摘要: The great tit (Parus major) has been considered to be the most typical example of an avian ring species. terminal taxa (major and minor sectors) are supposed reproductively isolated in a zone secondary contact middle Amur valley, Siberia. Our study combines molecular markers (cytochrome-b), bioacoustic analyses morphological characters judge species status complex. Despite notable percentage intermediately coloured birds mixed population Amur, lack mitochondrial introgression between major sectors small number true hybrids among voucher specimens from this area suggest at least partial reproductive barrier both sectors. In contrast, variation especially acoustic along ring-shaped phylogenetic structure P. major group do not match concept. Bioacoustic data (cytochrome-b sequences) reveal two large closely related subspecies blocks, bokharensis Western Palaearctic central Asia, cinereus Eastern South-east respectively. western diverged only recently (0.5 Mya) they were separated eastern by Pleistocene events about 1.5 Mya. Songs allopatric regions blocks differ distinctly frequency parameters element composition. contact, males all phenotypes share same range song, close song. Hybrids sing repertoires strophe types as well strophes. phenotypic display pure Differences mate choice mating success based on repertoire size believed uphold sympatry. Taxonomic consequences three separate Parus complex: s.s. (including very sector), cinereus. © 2005 Linnean Society London, Biological Journal Society, 2005, 86, 153–174.