Ecology

Divergence (linguistics)

Rainforest

Evolutionary biology

Biology

Songbird

Linguistics

Philosophy

Molecular Ecology

The little greenbul, a common rainforest passerine from sub-Saharan Africa, has been the subject of long-term evolutionary studies to understand the mechanisms leading to rainforest speciation. Previous research found morphological and behavioural divergence across rainforest-savannah transition zones (ecotones), and a pattern of divergence with gene flow suggesting divergent natural selection has contributed to adaptive divergence and ecotones could be important areas for rainforests speciation. Recent advances in genomics and environmental modelling make it possible to examine patterns of genetic divergence in a more comprehensive fashion. To assess the extent to which natural selection may drive patterns of differentiation, here we investigate patterns of genomic differentiation among populations across environmental gradients and regions. We find compelling evidence that individuals form discrete genetic clusters corresponding to distinctive environmental characteristics and habitat types. Pairwise FST be...

Genomic divergence across ecological gradients in the Central African rainforest songbird (<i><scp>A</scp>ndropadus virens</i>)

Genomic divergence across ecological gradients in the Central African rainforest songbird (Andropadus virens)