SPECIATIONGENOMICS · Speciation genomics in a wild bird populations

The field of speciation lies at the heart of evolutionary biology and is the driving force behind biodiversity. Nevertheless, many central questions regarding speciation remain unsolved. However, recent advances in the development of molecular genetic tools open novel ways to approach the core assumptions of models on speciation. The aim of this research plan is to take advantage of this broad range of available new tools to investigate mechanisms of speciation using a natural hybrid zone where collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis) and pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypolecua) interbreed. This is a unique system and the collared flycatcher in particular is an emerging model species for studies on multivariate evolution, speciation and avian genomics. Our goal is to identify the molecular genetic basis of traits that are involved in reproductive isolation in this system and thus provide novel insights into the process in which new species are formed.