My citation search failed to uncover any comprehensive, Song Sparrow
specific, nuclear DNA studies. It should be noted that nuclear DNA
studies in gulls have not yet cleaned that mess up much...
On 3/14/2019 23:38, David Bailey wrote:
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), or rather differences in mtDNA, are not an
absolute determining factor in population differences that satisfy all
species or subspecies definitions. mtDNA differences show only what is
passed down by the females and says nothing about Male DNA or differences
therein. Only in conjunction with chromosomal DNA can subspecies or species
be assigned with greater confidence.
On Thu, Mar 14, 2019, 23:23 David Irons <llsdirons@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks Mike for this excellent–and relative to the rest of
us–authoritative commentary. There is of course no substitute for having
these birds in the hand, taking measurements and in some cases sampling
mtDNA. I think it is likely we'll never settle on the exact
subspecies/population of origin for the recently sighted out-of-towner Song
Sparrows that have appeared in Oregon this winter. In this case we need a
little bigger 'box' to check that represents a larger group of similar
subspecies that occur generally north and east of us. Sub-headings like
"rufina Group" for Song Sparrows and "Sooty" for Fox Sparrows work well
because the average birder can recognize the general characteristics of the
group in the field without having to determine which subspecies individual
birds might belong to.
Dave Irons
Beaverton, OR
------------------------------
*From:* obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf
of Mike Patterson <celata@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Sent:* Friday, March 15, 2019 2:37 AM
*To:* 'OBOL'
*Subject:* [obol] Little Boxes
I jump headlong into the discussion regarding "Eastern" Song Sparrows...
http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/northcoastdiaries/
--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
That question...
http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/northcoastdiaries/?p=3294
POST: Send your post to obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
JOIN OR QUIT: //www.freelists.org/list/obol
OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol
Contact moderator: obol-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
