Speciation in the highlands of Mexico: genetic and phenotypic divergence in the Mexican jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina)

摘要: The pine-oak woodlands of the Mexican highlands harbour significant biological diversity, yet little is known about evolutionary history organisms inhabiting this region. We assessed genetic and phenotypic differentiation in 482 individuals representing 27 populations jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina) — a widespread bird species to test whether central northern sierras display discrete breaks between groups, which would be consistent with role for different mountain chains divergence speciation. found abrupt mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA; ND2 control region) delineating four major groups Sierra Madre Occidental, Oriental, southern Central Plateau (Bajio), Transvolcanic Belt. These mtDNA were largely corroborated by data from nuclear microsatellites data, except that clades Oriental showed clinal change these sets. Uncertainty mutation rate our markers warrants considerable caution regard estimating times, but appear have split before most extreme period glacial cycling marked last 0.7 million years after Mexico’s formation. fact some do not coincide wellknown geographic barriers suggests ecology speciation, we discuss implications taxonomy conservation.