History of divergence and gene flow shaping geographic variation in Andean warblers (Myioborus)

Abstract

Studying how genetic variation is structured across space, and how it relates to divergence in phenotypic traits relevant to reproductive isolation, is important for our overall understanding of the speciation process. We used reduced-representation genomic data (ddRAD-seq) to examine patterns of genetic variation across the full distribution of an Andean warbler species complex (Myioborus ornatus-melanocephalus), which includes a known hybrid zone between two strikingly different plumage forms. Genetic structure largely reflects geographic variation in head plumage, some of which corresponds to major topographic barriers in the Andes. We also found evidence of isolation by distance shaping genetic patterns across the groups broad latitudinal range. We found that chrysops and bairdi, two taxa with marked plumage differences that have a known hybrid zone, were characterized by low overall genetic divergence. Based on our cline analyses of both plumage and genomic hybrid indices, this hybrid zone extends for approximately 250 km, where advanced generation hybrids are likely most common. We also identified a slight difference in the centers of the plumage and genomic clines, potentially suggesting the asymmetric introgression of chrysops-like plumage traits. By studying genetic variation in a phenotypically complex group distributed across a topographically complex area, which includes a hybrid zone, we were able to show how both geographic features and potentially sexually selected plumage traits may play a role in species formation in tropical mountains