What pair of ecosystems was genetically distinct enough to act as a contemporary barrier to gene flow in the White-crowned Sparrow?
Answer
Alpine coniferous (AC) and riparian deciduous (RD) habitats
Evolutionary studies demonstrated that the type of ecosystem, rather than just physical distance, could act as a significant barrier to gene flow at a finer scale. Sparrows sampled from Alpine Coniferous (AC) environments showed significant genetic separation from those found in Riparian Deciduous (RD) habitats, even when these areas were geographically proximate. This partitioning suggests strong selection pressures related to local adaptation, such as food availability or microclimate, maintaining genetic differences between populations utilizing these distinct habitats.
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