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Intergeneric hybridization between Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus and Whinchat Saxicola rubetra revealed by molecular analyses

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Abstract

Hybridization between members of different genera is relatively rare in nature. Here, we present the first molecular evidence of an intergeneric hybrid within the avian Muscicapidae family. The suspected hybrid was captured at Lista Bird Observatory, Norway, in September 2013. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial COI gene showed that the mother of the hybrid was a Whinchat, while two intronic sequences revealed that the father was a Common Redstart. Molecular sexing showed that the hybrid was a male. A detailed phenotypic description of the hybrid is presented together with the parental species. Documenting hybridization is increasingly feasible using molecular methods and provides important information to studies of species borders, reproductive barriers and the process of speciation. We emphasize the importance of securing solid documentation (photos and morphometrics) and DNA samples (from feathers or blood) whenever suspected hybrids are captured in the wild.

Zusammenfassung

Molekulare Analysen decken Gattungshybridisierung zwischen Gartenrotschwanz Phoenicurus phoenicurus und Braunkehlchen Saxicola rubetra auf

Hybridisierung zwischen Mitgliedern unterschiedlicher Gattungen kommt in der Natur relativ selten vor. Mit dieser Studie wird der erste molekulare Beweis für einen Gattungshybriden innerhalb der Muscicapidae-Familie erbracht. Der vermutliche Hybride wurde auf der Lista Vogelfangstation in Norwegen im September 2013 gefangen. Molekulare Analysen der mitochondrialen COI-Region ergaben, dass die Mutter des Hybriden ein Braunkehlchen war, während zwei intronische Sequenzen zeigten, dass der Vater ein Gartenrotschwanz war. Die molekulare Geschlechtsbestimmung ergab, dass der Hybride ein Männchen war. Eine detaillierte phänotypische Beschreibung des Hybriden zusammen mit den Elternarten wird vorgelegt. Die Dokumentation von Hybridisierung ist zunehmend leichter durch die Nutzung molekulare Methoden und liefert wichtige Informationen zu Artgrenzen, reproduktive Barrieren und dem Prozess der Artbildung. Wir betonen die Bedeutung der Sicherung einer soliden Dokumentation (Fotos und morphometrische Daten) und DNA-Proben (aus Federn oder Blut), wann immer vermutliche Hybriden wildlebend gefangen werden.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Jonas Langbråten for providing one of the photos, and two anonymous reviewers for comments on a previous version of this paper. The study was funded by the Norwegian Research Council (Grant No 213592 to AJ) and Lista Bird Observatory via a grant from the Norwegian Environment Agency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Blindern, P.O. Box 1172, 0318, Oslo, Norway

    Silje Hogner, Jan T. Lifjeld & Arild Johnsen

  2. Lista Bird Observatory, Fyrveien 6, 4563, Borhaug, Norway

    Albert Burgas Riera & Margrethe Wold

Authors
  1. Silje Hogner
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  2. Albert Burgas Riera
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  3. Margrethe Wold
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  4. Jan T. Lifjeld
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  5. Arild Johnsen
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Correspondence to Silje Hogner.

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Communicated by M. Wink.

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Hogner, S., Riera, A.B., Wold, M. et al. Intergeneric hybridization between Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus and Whinchat Saxicola rubetra revealed by molecular analyses. J Ornithol 156, 829–836 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-015-1165-x

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