No evidence of divergence at neutral genetic markers between the two morphologically different subspecies of the most numerous Arctic seabird

摘要: Identifying natural populations that might be considered separate units using morphology, genotype or both is important in understanding the process of speciation and for conservation. We examined relationships between only two subspecies most numerous Arctic seabird, Little Auk Alle alle, morphological (wing head-bill lengths) genetic data (482 base pairs mitochondrial control region seven nuclear microsatellite loci). found significant differences subspecies, A. a. polaris being significantly larger than nominate A. a. alle. However, we did not find to differentiated at either DNA loci. Consequently, one evolutionary unit proposed. The similarity neutral markers may due contemporary gene flow populations, as well large population sizes present past, combined with recent post-glacial colonization Artic.