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dc.contributor.authorVotier, SC
dc.contributor.authorAspinall, S
dc.contributor.authorBearhop, S
dc.contributor.authorBilton, David
dc.contributor.authorNewton, J
dc.contributor.authorAlström, P
dc.contributor.authorLeader, P
dc.contributor.authorCarey, G
dc.contributor.authorFurnes, RW
dc.contributor.authorOlsson, U
dc.date.accessioned2016-06-15T09:13:07Z
dc.date.available2016-06-15T09:13:07Z
dc.date.issued2016-10-01
dc.identifier.issn2193-7192
dc.identifier.issn2193-7206
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/4901
dc.description.abstract

Niche segregation plays a critical role in the speciation process, but determining the extent to which taxa are geographically or ecologically isolated is challenging. In this study, we use stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), hydrogen (δ2H) and oxygen (δ18O) to test for ecological differences among taxa in the Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca complex. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed 6 distinct haplotype groups, which conform to at least 5 distinct taxa. Stable isotopes provided insight into geographical and broad-scale ecological differences among haplotypes. The most striking isotope differences were between the populations inhabiting Siberian boreal forest (S. c. blythi) from the one inhabiting semi-desert in Kazakhstan (S. c. halimodendri). It is generally assumed that these two populations form a morphological cline along a gradient from mesic to xeric habitat. Our sample includes a large proportion of morphologically intermediate individuals that appear to represent a hybrid population. However, in all of these, there is strict correspondence between haplotype and isotope signature, suggesting an ecological division on the breeding grounds between all our samples of these two taxa. The lack of ecologically intermediate individuals among our sample of morphologically intermediate ones thus speaks against the existence of a cline. The two taxa blythi and halimodendri emerge as potential models for the study of the early stages of the speciation process. While differences in stable isotopes may be largely influenced by geography, we also demonstrate how, in specific instances (such as the alleged cline reported here), they may be used to evaluate niche segregation between taxa, providing information of importance for determination of species limits.

dc.format.extent1017-1027
dc.languageen
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC
dc.subjectdelta C-13
dc.subjectdelta N-15
dc.subjectdelta O-18
dc.subjectdelta H-2
dc.subjectPhylogeography
dc.subjectSpeciation
dc.subjectWarbler
dc.subjectSylvia curruca
dc.subjectCline
dc.subjectStable isotopes
dc.titleStable isotopes and mtDNA reveal niche segregation but no evidence of intergradation along a habitat gradient in the Lesser Whitethroat complex (Sylvia curruca; Passeriformes; Aves)
dc.typejournal-article
dc.typeJournal Article
plymouth.author-urlhttps://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000382944500009&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=11bb513d99f797142bcfeffcc58ea008
plymouth.issue4
plymouth.volume157
plymouth.publication-statusAccepted
plymouth.journalJournal of Ornithology
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s10336-016-1351-5
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Faculty of Science and Engineering
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Faculty of Science and Engineering/School of Biological and Marine Sciences
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/REF 2021 Researchers by UoA
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/REF 2021 Researchers by UoA/UoA07 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Research Groups
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Research Groups/Marine Institute
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Users by role
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Users by role/Academics
dcterms.dateAccepted2016-04-25
dc.rights.embargodate2017-5-9
dc.identifier.eissn2193-7206
dc.rights.embargoperiodNot known
rioxxterms.versionofrecord10.1007/s10336-016-1351-5
rioxxterms.licenseref.urihttp://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved
rioxxterms.licenseref.startdate2016-10-01
rioxxterms.typeJournal Article/Review


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