Historical diversification of migration patterns in a passerine
bird Förlag: Society for the Study of Evolution Migratory
strategies of birds require complex orientation mechanisms,
morphological adaptations, and life-history adjustments. From an
evolutionary perspective, it is important to know how fast this
complex combination of traits can evolve. We analyzed
mitochondrial control-region DNA sequences in 241 blackcaps
(Sylvia atricapilla) from 12 populations with different
migratory behaviors. The sample included sedentary populations
in Europe and Atlantic archipelagos and migratory populations
with different distances of migration, from regional to
intercontinental migrations, and different heading directions
(due to a migratory divide in central Europe). There was no
genetic structure between migratory and sedentary populations,
or among populations from different biogeographic areas
(Atlantic islands, the Iberian Peninsula, or the continent),
however we found evidence of a genetic structure when compar