Intraspecific variation in the wing shape and genetic differentiation of Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus in Croatia

0346255 - ÚBO 2011 RIV PL eng J - Journal Article
Kralj, J. - Procházka, Petr - Fainová, Drahomíra - Patzenhauerová, Hana - Tutiš, V.
Intraspecific variation in the wing shape and genetic differentiation of Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus in Croatia.
Acta Ornithologica. Roč. 45, č. 1 (2010), s. 51-58. ISSN 0001-6454. E-ISSN 1734-8471
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR KJB600930508
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60930519
Keywords : wing morphology * migration * microsatellites * genetic diversity
Subject RIV: EG - Zoology
Impact factor: 0.889, year: 2010

Intraspecific variation in wing shape reflects different migratory strategies or distances between breeding and wintering areas. Differences in the wing morphology and genotypes between coastal and inland breeding populations of the Reed Warbler in Croatia were studied. The results showed that the two geographically close populations of Reed Warblers differ in wing morphology, with birds from the inland population having more pointed and more slotted wings than those from the coastal population. There was a slight but significant difference in microsatellite allele frequencies between the two populations, suggesting that gene flow between the two populations is partly restricted. The differences in wing morphology imply that the two populations use different migratory routes and/or winter in different areas. Consequently, this migratory pattern may have influenced the contemporary genetic differentiation of the two populations.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0187325