A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Coevolution of jaegers (Stercorarius spp.) and arctic lemmings (Dicrostonyx spp. and Lemmus spp.) and the formation of the jaeger guild: a hypothesis
Authors: Lise Ruffino, Tarja Oksanen
Publisher: EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY LTD
Publication year: 2014
Journal: Evolutionary Ecology Research
Journal name in source: EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY RESEARCH
Journal acronym: EVOL ECOL RES
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
First page : 121
Last page: 132
Number of pages: 12
ISSN: 1522-0613
Web address : http://www.evolutionary-ecology.com/issues/v16/n02/ddar2899.pdf
Abstract
Empirical evidence: Our hypothesis accounts for the current distributions, behaviours, and ecologies of the three jaeger species. In addition, long-tailed jaegers did diverge early from other Stercorariidae. But we still do not know whether the timing of the divergence matches the evolution of collared lemmings. Evidence suggests that either: (1) Pomarine jaegers diverged from the skua (Catharacta spp.) lineage early, before skuas had developed their distinctive morphological traits; or (2) Pomarine jaegers diverged recently from great skuas (Catharacta skua) and then reverted to the ancestral jaeger morphology. Only the latter interpretation is consistent with our hypothesis, so we need to have more reliable timing of the evolution of long-tailed and Pomarine jaegers.
Empirical evidence: Our hypothesis accounts for the current distributions, behaviours, and ecologies of the three jaeger species. In addition, long-tailed jaegers did diverge early from other Stercorariidae. But we still do not know whether the timing of the divergence matches the evolution of collared lemmings. Evidence suggests that either: (1) Pomarine jaegers diverged from the skua (Catharacta spp.) lineage early, before skuas had developed their distinctive morphological traits; or (2) Pomarine jaegers diverged recently from great skuas (Catharacta skua) and then reverted to the ancestral jaeger morphology. Only the latter interpretation is consistent with our hypothesis, so we need to have more reliable timing of the evolution of long-tailed and Pomarine jaegers.
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