Data from: Low levels of hybridization across two contact zones among three species of woodpeckers (Sphyrapicus sapsuckers)

The zones of hybridization present high variability of phenotypes and alleles in relatively small areas and provide an opportunity to examine levels of reproductive isolation between the taxa involved. We examined phenotypes (morphometric traits and plumage) and genotypes of 175 live birds across the two hybrid zones. We used the Genotyping By Sequencing (GBS) method to identify 180 partially diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to generate a genetic hybrid index (GHI) for each bird.

Phenotypically diverged S. ruber and S. nuchalis are genetically closely related, while S. nuchalis and S. varius have similar plumage but are well separated at the genetic markers studied. The width of both hybrid zones is narrower than expected under neutrality, and analyses of both genotypes and phenotypes indicate that hybrids are rare in the hybrid zone. Rarity of hybrids indicates assortative mating and/or some form of fitness reduction in hybrids, which might maintain the species complex despite close genetic distance and introgression.

These findings further support the treatment of the three taxa as distinct species.

Usage notes

Summary data - illumina RAD GBS sequences of Sphyrapicus Sapsuckers Summary of the GBS sequences of the 176 individuals of Sphyrapicus Sapsuckers from Western Canada. Exported_Genotype_Files_SamHD_JAB_2016.zip Illumina RAD GBS sequence of Sphyrapicus Sapsuckers Illumina RAD sequences of 176 Sphyrapicus Sapsuckers from Western Canada. Sapsuckers.zip