Allozyme polymorphism and interspecific relationships in the Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and Spotless starling (S. unicolor) (Aves: Sturnidae)

Abstract

This paper reports a genetic study of Sturnus vulgaris and S. unicolor (Sturnidae), two similar bird species which have recently become sympatric in north-eastern Spain. Seven enzyme systems (alcohol dehydrogenase, esterase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, leucin aminopeptidase, L-lactate dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase) were analyzed, resolving 22 presumed genetic loci with 28 alleles; 27 of them were found in both species. Gene flow was estimated to be number of migrants per generation (Nm) = 6, and genetic identities among populations were high, ranging from I = 0.96 to I = 0.99. On the whole, the results demonstrate that these Sturnus populations share a gene pool, showing slight genetic differences between the two starling species.

Are European starlings breeding in the Azores archipelago genetically distinct from birds breeding in mainland Europe?

“…The occurrence of Fair Isle haplotypes in the other populations studied, as well as the lack of differentiation from British populations based on F st , indicates that the population is not as isolated as previously thought and might not deserve subspecies status. The spotless starling is sometimes treated as another subspecies of S. vulgaris (de la Cruz-Cardiel et al 1997), and our study seems to support this hypothesis. Indeed, our study reveals that there were more genetic differences amongst S. vulgaris than between S. vulgaris and the two published Sturnus unicolor sequences that we used.…”

Evolutionary biogeography and speciation: essay on a synthesis

“…(7) Many complexes of parapatric akin taxa fall into one of the scenarios of allopatric speciation described above (Sibley & Short, 1964; Ferry & Deschaîntre, 1966, 1974; Remington, 1968; Haffer, 1969, 1974, 1986, 1989; Rising, 1970; Meise, 1975; Corbin & Sibley, 1977; Dubois, 1977; Ferry, 1977; Lundberg, 1980; Prigogine, 1980; Schifferli & Schifferli, 1980; Vuilleumier, 1980, 1993; Motis et al ., 1983, 1997; Prigogine & Louette, 1983; Baumgart, 1984; Sorjonen, 1986; Tegelström & Gelter, 1990; Motis, 1992; Prager et al ., 1993; Sage et al ., 1993; De la Cruz‐Cardiel et al ., 1997; Sætre et al ., 1997; Caton, 1999). The list of the publications on the subject is far from exhaustive.…”