Genetic Divergence of the Species of the Yellow Wagtails Group (Passeriformes, Motacillidae) in European Territory of Russia

Abstract

genotypic diversity of populations of species of the yellow wagtails in the space of their ranges in a wide sympatry refl ects the mechanisms of reproductive isolation of species and forms of subspecies rank and features of microevolution group -polytypic complex Motacilla fl ava Linnaeus, 1758. Th e distribution of species of the yellow wagtails in the European part of Russia is sympatric. Th e purpose of this study was to investigate whether sympatric settlement led to any genetic separation between the populations of these species. 20 blood samples and 2 samples of eggs collected in areas geographically representing the MID and the southern Russian breeding populations of these species, including all juvenile ringed in 2012, were used. Aft er the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 4 types of the yellow wagtails group Motacilla fl ava L., 1758; M. feldegg Michahelles, 1830; M. lutea (S. G. Gmelin, 1774); M. cilreola Pallas, 1776 (Passeriformes, Motacillidae) were sequenced. Aft er aligning the sequences of the gene cytochrome oxidase I, based on the comparison of genetic distances between these species phylogenetic tree of genus Motacilla was constructed. Th ese results suggest that, despite the broad sympatry in nesting places, there is a selective mating between males and females of each species studied in spite of the free crossing and insulating mechanisms in populations.K e y w o r d s: phenotype, genotype, population, mtDNA, barcoding, wagtails, European territory of Russia.