Hybridization and the porous genome: Patterns of isolation and introgression in manakins

Abstract

How does one species become two? What is the relative importance of selection vs. drift? How many genes are involved, what are their effect sizes and where are they located in the genome? The answers to these questions will inevitably vary from one species to another, but by addressing these questions in a diverse array of taxa, we will gradually piece together a more complete picture of how evolution works. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Parchman et al. () have approached these questions by studying the genomic basis of differentiation along a hybrid zone between two Central American bird species, the golden-collared (Manacus vitellinus) and white-collared (Manacus candei) manakins (see Fig.). Their work presents an interesting window into the evolution of this hybrid zone using novel analysis tools and a nice example of how to approach the study of population genomics in nonmodel organisms. Hybrid (Manacus candei × Manacus vitellinus; left) and white-collared manakin (M. candei; right). Photograph credits: Robb Brumfield (hybrid) and ©D. Tipling/VIREO (M. candei). © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.