Ecological niche contributes to the persistence of the western × glaucous‐winged gull hybrid zone
Abstract Hybrid zones occur in nature when populations with limited reproductive barriers overlap in space. Many hybrid zones persist over time, and different models have been proposed to explain how selection can maintain hybrid zone stability. More empirical studies are needed to elucidate the rol...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-07-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11678 |
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| _version_ | 1849714037730836480 |
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| author | Xuewen Geng Jeremy Summers Nancy Chen |
| author_facet | Xuewen Geng Jeremy Summers Nancy Chen |
| author_sort | Xuewen Geng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Hybrid zones occur in nature when populations with limited reproductive barriers overlap in space. Many hybrid zones persist over time, and different models have been proposed to explain how selection can maintain hybrid zone stability. More empirical studies are needed to elucidate the role of ecological adaptation in maintaining stable hybrid zones. Here, we investigated the role of exogenous factors in maintaining a hybrid zone between western gulls (Larus occidentalis) and glaucous‐winged gulls (L. glaucescens). We used ecological niche models (ENMs) and niche similarity tests to quantify and examine the ecological niches of western gulls, glaucous‐winged gulls, and their hybrids. We found evidence of niche divergence between all three groups. Our results support the bounded superiority model, providing further evidence that exogenous selection favoring hybrids may be an important factor in maintaining this stable hybrid zone. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a01ac61daf374e90a5042b5eed0ed041 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-07-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-a01ac61daf374e90a5042b5eed0ed0412025-08-20T03:13:48ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582024-07-01147n/an/a10.1002/ece3.11678Ecological niche contributes to the persistence of the western × glaucous‐winged gull hybrid zoneXuewen Geng0Jeremy Summers1Nancy Chen2Department of Biology University of Rochester Rochester New York USADepartment of Biology University of Rochester Rochester New York USADepartment of Biology University of Rochester Rochester New York USAAbstract Hybrid zones occur in nature when populations with limited reproductive barriers overlap in space. Many hybrid zones persist over time, and different models have been proposed to explain how selection can maintain hybrid zone stability. More empirical studies are needed to elucidate the role of ecological adaptation in maintaining stable hybrid zones. Here, we investigated the role of exogenous factors in maintaining a hybrid zone between western gulls (Larus occidentalis) and glaucous‐winged gulls (L. glaucescens). We used ecological niche models (ENMs) and niche similarity tests to quantify and examine the ecological niches of western gulls, glaucous‐winged gulls, and their hybrids. We found evidence of niche divergence between all three groups. Our results support the bounded superiority model, providing further evidence that exogenous selection favoring hybrids may be an important factor in maintaining this stable hybrid zone.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11678bounded superiority modelecological niche modelinghybrid zoneniche identity test |
| spellingShingle | Xuewen Geng Jeremy Summers Nancy Chen Ecological niche contributes to the persistence of the western × glaucous‐winged gull hybrid zone Ecology and Evolution bounded superiority model ecological niche modeling hybrid zone niche identity test |
| title | Ecological niche contributes to the persistence of the western × glaucous‐winged gull hybrid zone |
| title_full | Ecological niche contributes to the persistence of the western × glaucous‐winged gull hybrid zone |
| title_fullStr | Ecological niche contributes to the persistence of the western × glaucous‐winged gull hybrid zone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ecological niche contributes to the persistence of the western × glaucous‐winged gull hybrid zone |
| title_short | Ecological niche contributes to the persistence of the western × glaucous‐winged gull hybrid zone |
| title_sort | ecological niche contributes to the persistence of the western glaucous winged gull hybrid zone |
| topic | bounded superiority model ecological niche modeling hybrid zone niche identity test |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11678 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT xuewengeng ecologicalnichecontributestothepersistenceofthewesternglaucouswingedgullhybridzone AT jeremysummers ecologicalnichecontributestothepersistenceofthewesternglaucouswingedgullhybridzone AT nancychen ecologicalnichecontributestothepersistenceofthewesternglaucouswingedgullhybridzone |