MITOCHONDRIAL GENETIC-VARIATION IN GULLS AND SHEARWATERS - COMMENT

HELBIG AJ

Aj. Helbig, MITOCHONDRIAL GENETIC-VARIATION IN GULLS AND SHEARWATERS - COMMENT, Journal fur Ornithologie, 135(4), 1994, pp. 609-615

15

TEDESCO

Article

Ornithology

Journal fur Ornithologie → ACNP

0021-8375

135

4

1994

609 - 615

ISI

0021-8375(1994)135:4<609:MGIGAS>2.0.ZU;2-A

Data presented by WINK et al. (1993, 1994) on inter- and intraspecific mitochondrial genetic variation of gulls (Larus cachinnans, L. fuscus , L. argentatus) and Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomeded) are rean alyzed. It is shown that the data contradict or do not support several of their main conclusions. In particular, cytochrome b sequence diver gence between the gull species (0.69-2.04 %) is of the same magnitude as between or even within some avian subspecies and mitochondrial gene flow between them cannot be excluded with the small sample sizes avai lable. The phylogenetic relationships among the three Larus species re main unresolved (Fig.). Cory's Shearwaters show a high degree of diver gence between mitochondrial lineages (1.51-1.87 %) even within subspec ies as might be expected for a highly philopatric, colonially breeding seabird. Some general requirements and limitations of the use of mtDN A in the study of closely related species are outlined.