tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2744300177774222529.post1263342000525001115..comments2023-10-20T05:36:35.940-07:00Comments on Avian Tendencies: The joy of long-distance Thayer's Gull identficationCaleb Putnamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05661340389049835641noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2744300177774222529.post-71085357636180136132011-12-14T20:49:24.670-08:002011-12-14T20:49:24.670-08:00Where's the post about the 1st cycle bird?Where's the post about the 1st cycle bird?RAZL DASLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06418892028153723618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2744300177774222529.post-23959987467819007752011-12-05T21:18:53.796-08:002011-12-05T21:18:53.796-08:00Caleb,
Thanks for the post -- I was actually thin...Caleb,<br /><br />Thanks for the post -- I was actually thinking recently that I need to brush up on my Thayer's ID.<br /><br />As far as your genetics question goes, the efficacy of genetic analysis in identifying confusing birds to species depends on what is actually occurring with these gulls. For instance, if the two phenotypes we call Thayer's and Iceland are simply the two "ends" of a cline, then introgression of alleles will muddle up analysis of individuals falling between the two extreme ends of the spectrum. As you mention, this seems to be the case, and is suggestive that these are not actually two distinct species. The BNA account for both species is pretty long and dry, but it has some interesting evidence to support this as well.<br /><br />Of course, all bets are off when it comes to species limits in gulls -- a systemicist's worst nightmare!Codyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00774969552834379392noreply@blogger.com