Biologists at The University of Texas (UT) in Austin have documented an unusual bird that appears to be the offspring of a green jay and a blue jay. This discovery may represent one of the first known cases of a hybrid animal arising in the wild due to recent shifts in climate.
Although these two parent species are separated by about 7 million years of evolution, their habitats did not overlap until a few decades ago. “We think it’s the first observed vertebrate that’s hybridized as a result of two species both expanding their ranges due, at least in part, to climate change,” said Brian Stokes, a UT graduate student and the first author of the study.
Stokes pointed out that most previously documented vertebrate hybrids have been linked to human influence, such as invasive species introductions or one species encroaching on another’s territory — for example, polar bears and grizzlies. In this case, however, both parent species expanded their ranges simultaneously as weather patterns shifted, creating the opportunity for hybridization.
*This story has been sourced from a third-party syndicated feed. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability, or accuracy of this content. The management of Mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete, or remove content at its absolute discretion and without prior notice.*
Help us improve by providing detailed feedback and stand a chance to win a 3-month e-paper subscription!
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/scientists-document-rare-hybrid-of-green-jay-and-blue-jay-in-the-wild-23596598