Hybridism between Cyanocorax chrysops and Cyanocorax cyanopogon (Aves: Corvidae) in Brazil

By

Apolinario, Cristiane
Silveira, Luis Fabio

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019-9-16

Original Publication

Nature conservation

Volume

36

Pages

1--7

Subjects

Contact zones , Hybrids , interbreeding , Jays

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 2012-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zoologia.36.e32138

 

Abstract

Cyanocorax chrysops(Vieillot, 1818) andCyanocorax cyanopogon(Wied, 1821) are widespread jays. They are considered sister species according to recent molecular phylogenies. When analyzing museum specimens of both species, we found two individuals with intermediate plumage characteristics. They were collected near the range limits of both species, and we classified them as hybrids. Based on the sites where these specimens were found, we discuss the possible factors leading the interbreeding and compare our findings with information available in the literature. This is the first documented case of natural hybridization in jays in Brazil and the second case involving sister species within the New World jays.