The genomic landscape underlying phenotypic integrity in the face of gene flow in crows

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1253226
• Publication Date: 2014-06-20T03:36:24Z
• Authors: J. W. Poelstra; N. Vijay; C. M. Bossu; H. Lantz; B. Ryll; I. Müller; V. Baglione; P. Unneberg; M. Wikelski; M. G. Grabherr; J. B. W. Wolf
• Keywords: Carrion; Coat; Flock

Crows of a feather flock together Closely related species with overlapping ranges typically evolve genetic barriers to prevent crossbreeding. Poelstra et al. sequenced genes from two central European crows: gray-bodied hooded crows and black carrion (see the Perspective by de Knijff). Although most genomes shared between species, one region that affected coat color vision differed. The authors suggest gray-coated prefer mate birds like themselves. Science , this issue p. 1410 ; see also 1345