Musical taste, rather than geography, may have split Africa’s indigobirds into multiple species, and a new analysis gives a genetic underpinning for that idea.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER. The indigobird Vidua raricola now flashes a different underwing feather color from that of its near relatives, but song preference may have divided the species. Sorenson
This scenario puts indigobirds among the few vertebrates for which scientists have strong evidence that species divided without some geographic barrier looming, says Michael D.
Log in
Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.