Evolution of seasonal ecological niches in the Passerina buntings (Aves: Cardinalidae)

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Martínez-Meyer, Enrique; Peterson, A. Townsend; Navarro-Sigüenza, Adolfo G.

Source:

Proceedings of the Royal Society B, The Royal Society, Volume 271, Issue 1544, p.1151–1157 (2004)

Call Number:

A04MAR01IDUS

Keywords:

indigo bunting, Lazuli Bunting, Passerina amoena, Passerina buntings, Passerina cyanea, seasonal ecological niches

Abstract:

The evolution of migration has long been considered complex, and recent work has demonstrated additional complexity: some species follow the same ecological conditions throughout the year, whereas others 'switch niches' between breeding and wintering ranges. Hypotheses regarding the evolution of migration would generally predict niche-following as primitive, and niche-switching as derived. However, no test has, to the authors’ knowledge, yet determined the directionality of evolution of these states within a lineage. The authors present here an analysis of phylogenetic dimensions of seasonal niches in the Passerina buntings that indicates greater evolutionary change in the niches of breeding populations than among those of wintering populations. These results are consistent with hypotheses of 1) niche conservatism (in winter, at least) across a recently speciated lineage and 2) the derived state of the breeding (rather than winter) ecological niches of each species.