286
R.M. Zink and J. K1icka
parture from expectation. For the California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica),
found coastally from California to the southern extent of Baja California Sur
(Mexico), the mismatch distribution is consistent with major recent population increases (Zink et al. unpubl. data). Hence, we conclude that mismatch distributions
support the general expectation of recent post-glacial population expansions of North
American birds. Clearly more geographically extensive studies are required.
The geographic pattern of nucleotide diversity in the Song Sparrow does not
match the simple prediction of a linear south to north increase, as was found for the
Red-winged Blackbird (Fig. 3). These are the only two studies in which a general
continental pattern can be estimated. We can only conclude at this time that species
recolonized deglaciated areas in idiosyncratic ways.
The distribution of the number of lineages vs time (Fig. 5) is also consistent
with a growing population. No other analyses of this type are published although
several are underway (G. F. Barrowclough, pers. comm.).
In summary, searching for the imprints of Late Pleistocene glaciations is hampered by lack of available data. Although the North American avifauna is probably
the best studied genetically, few continent-wide surveys exist that permit tests of
genetic expectations (Fig. 1). Available data support the general prediction of population increases associated with recolonization of recently deglaciated areas.
Acknowledgments
We thank A. Kessen for comments on the manuscript.
References
Arbogast BS, Slowinski JB (1998) Pleistocene speciation and the mitochondrial DNA clock.
Science 282: 1955a
Avise JC (1994) Molecular markers, natural history and evolution. Chapman and Hall, New
York
Avise JC, Walker D (1998) Pleistocene phylogeographic effects on avian populations and
the speciation process. Proc Roy Soc Lond B 265:457-463
Ball RM Jr., Avise JC (1992) Mitochondrial DNA phylogeographic differentiation among
avian populations and the evolutionary significance of SUbspecies. Auk 109:626-636
Ball RM Jr., Freeman S, James FC, Bermingham E, Avise JC (1988) Phylogeographic population structure of Red-winged Blackbirds assessed by mitochondrial DNA. Proc Nat!
Acad Sci USA 85:1558-1562
Fleischer RC, Mcintosh CE, Tarr CL (1998) Evolution on a volcanic conveyor belt: using
phylogeographic reconstructions and K-Ar-based ages of the Hawaiian Islands to estimate molecular evolutionary rates. Mol Ecol 7:533-545
Fry A, Zink RM (1998) Geographic analysis of nucleotide diversity and song sparrow (Aves:
Emberizidae) population history. Mol Ecol 7:1303-1313
Goldman N (1993) Statistical tests of models of DNA substitution. J Mol EvoI36:182-198
R.M. Zink and J. K1icka
parture from expectation. For the California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica),
found coastally from California to the southern extent of Baja California Sur
(Mexico), the mismatch distribution is consistent with major recent population increases (Zink et al. unpubl. data). Hence, we conclude that mismatch distributions
support the general expectation of recent post-glacial population expansions of North
American birds. Clearly more geographically extensive studies are required.
The geographic pattern of nucleotide diversity in the Song Sparrow does not
match the simple prediction of a linear south to north increase, as was found for the
Red-winged Blackbird (Fig. 3). These are the only two studies in which a general
continental pattern can be estimated. We can only conclude at this time that species
recolonized deglaciated areas in idiosyncratic ways.
The distribution of the number of lineages vs time (Fig. 5) is also consistent
with a growing population. No other analyses of this type are published although
several are underway (G. F. Barrowclough, pers. comm.).
In summary, searching for the imprints of Late Pleistocene glaciations is hampered by lack of available data. Although the North American avifauna is probably
the best studied genetically, few continent-wide surveys exist that permit tests of
genetic expectations (Fig. 1). Available data support the general prediction of population increases associated with recolonization of recently deglaciated areas.
Acknowledgments
We thank A. Kessen for comments on the manuscript.
References
Arbogast BS, Slowinski JB (1998) Pleistocene speciation and the mitochondrial DNA clock.
Science 282: 1955a
Avise JC (1994) Molecular markers, natural history and evolution. Chapman and Hall, New
York
Avise JC, Walker D (1998) Pleistocene phylogeographic effects on avian populations and
the speciation process. Proc Roy Soc Lond B 265:457-463
Ball RM Jr., Avise JC (1992) Mitochondrial DNA phylogeographic differentiation among
avian populations and the evolutionary significance of SUbspecies. Auk 109:626-636
Ball RM Jr., Freeman S, James FC, Bermingham E, Avise JC (1988) Phylogeographic population structure of Red-winged Blackbirds assessed by mitochondrial DNA. Proc Nat!
Acad Sci USA 85:1558-1562
Fleischer RC, Mcintosh CE, Tarr CL (1998) Evolution on a volcanic conveyor belt: using
phylogeographic reconstructions and K-Ar-based ages of the Hawaiian Islands to estimate molecular evolutionary rates. Mol Ecol 7:533-545
Fry A, Zink RM (1998) Geographic analysis of nucleotide diversity and song sparrow (Aves:
Emberizidae) population history. Mol Ecol 7:1303-1313
Goldman N (1993) Statistical tests of models of DNA substitution. J Mol EvoI36:182-198