Sexual selection plays a key role in the diversification of numerous animal clades and may accelerate trait divergence during speciation. However, much of our understanding of this process comes from phylogenetic comparative studies, which rely on surrogate measures such as dimorphism that may not represent selection in wild populations. In this study, we assess sexual selection pressures for multiple male visual signals across four barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) populations. Our sample encompassed 2400 linear km and two described subspecies: European H. r. rustica (in the Czech Republic and Romania) and eastern Mediterranean H. r. transitiva (in Israel), as well as a potential area of contact (in Turkey). We demonstrate significant phenotypic differentiation in four sexual signalling axes, despite very low-level genomic divergence and no comparable divergence in an ecological trait. Moreover, the direction of phenotypic divergence is consistent with differences in sexual selection pressures among subspecies. Thus, H. r. transitiva, which have the darkest ventral plumage of any population, experience directional selection for darker plumage. Similarly, H. r. rustica, which have the longest tail feathers of any population, experience directional selection for elongated tail feathers and disruptive selection for ventral plumage saturation. These results suggest that sexual selection is the primary driver of phenotypic differentiation in this species. Our findings add to growing evidence of phenotypic divergence with gene flow. However, to our knowledge, this is the first study to relate direct measures of the strength and targets of sexual selection to phenotypic divergence among closely related wild populations.
The reproductive and breeding success of wader species is negatively affected by various anthropogenic factors, including persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs). We aimed to study the association of POPs in feathers with the reproductive success of the spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus). For this purpose, data on reproductive parameters and feather samples were collected from a breeding population consisting of 19 pairs near Boğazkent district in Antalya, Turkey. Mean concentrations of total polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (ΣOCPs) were found to be 54 ± 16 ng/g and 520 ng/g in all samples, respectively. In particular, PCB 151 and β-hexachlorocyclohexane had a negative association the various reproductive parameters in the species under consideration. Fledgling success (n = 25) was calculated to be 37.4%, which was negatively associated with the ΣOCP concentrations (r = - 0.99, p = 0.01). According to the results, POP residues are one of the associated factors on the reproductive success of spur-winged lapwing along, with agricultural activity and predation. It is indicated that the species needs a protection plan for prevention declining reproductive success and population size species in Turkey. Besides, our results suggest that bird feathers are a non-destructive bio-monitoring tools to estimate of contamination levels of organic pollutants in a population.
Collared Pratincoles (Glareola pratincola) have a large, fragmented breeding distribution throughout the Palearctic. Turkey is in migration road where it has Collared pratincole population as both breeding area and transition region. Research area was in Boğazkent/Antalya, Southwest Turkey. In this study, breeding biology of Collared pratincole were investigated in 2016. Boğazkent was transiting region for Collared pratincole, while some individuals transit, some others stay and breed there. Average of 370 birds transited during spring migration and 35 of which stayed and bred in Boğazkent at the end of the May.
Bu çalışmada kuşlara ev sahipliği yapan sulak alanlarımızdan biri olan Buldan Yayla Gölü ve alanda bulunan ornitolojik zenginliğin tanıtılması amaçlanmıştır. Sağlıklı bir çevre, dengeli biyoçeşitlilikle mümkündür. Kuşlar biyolojik çeşitlilik için indikatör yani gösterge canlılar olarak görev yapmaktadır. Bir yerde bulunan kuş varlığı, orada sağlıklı bir biyoçeşitliliğin olduğuna işaret eder. Çalışmanın gerçekleştirildiği Buldan Yayla Gölü; Denizli İli, Buldan İlçesi sınırları içerisinde kalan, 464 dekar büyüklüğünde bir göldür. Alanda 2017 senesinde çalışmalar yapılarak kuş çeşitliliği tespit edilmiştir. Toplamda; 88'i ötücü (Passeriformes) olmak üzere toplam 16 farklı ordoya ait 163 tür kaydedilmiştir. Kuşlar alandaki statülerine göre değerlendirildiğinde ise 72 türün yerli, 91'inin ise göçmen veya transit göçer türler olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Buldan Yayla Gölü küçük bir sulak alandır ve mevcut durumuyla, alan bataklık ve ıslak çayır özelliği kazanmıştır. Ötrofikasyon riski altında bulunan sulak alan zamanla karasallaşmaya doğru eğilim göstererek şuan ki haliyle sahip olduğu önemli kuş zenginliğini yitirme riskiyle karşı karşıyadır.
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