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Posted by John Boyd on 21:48:34 12/08/09
In Reply to: Re: Winter Wren Split posted by Carlos Sanchez
After the Drovetski paper, the chance of splitting any of the Aleutian races is near zero. Genetically, they are virtually indistinguishable from the other Pacific Wrens. This is evidence of very recent interbreeding, which makes species status unlikely. It appears that these races date from no earlier than the last Ice Age.
There's much more genetic separation between the eastern Winter Wren and the Eurasian wrens (and even the major groups thereof). The Eurasian Wren itself could be split into 4 or 5 species (European Wren, Caucasian Wren, Nepal Wren, Eastern Wren, and possiblly St. Kilda Wren). (see the Drovetski paper cited in the AOU NACC proposal for details)
If you want to practice your wren ID, you can visit the Peace Region in British Columbia. The eastern Winter Wren and Pacific Wren both occur together there. It seems to be a place where eastern and western birds meet. It's the same area where the MacGillivray's and Mourning Warblers hybridize, and the Myrtle/Audubon's Warbler hybrid zone runs through there.
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