Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Mol Ecol. 2011 Sep;20(18):3705-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05230.x.
Hybrid speciation was once thought to be rare in animals, but over the past decade, improved molecular analysis techniques and increased research attention have allowed scientists to uncover many examples. In this issue, two papers (Elgvin et al. 2011; Hermansen et al. 2011) present compelling evidence for the hybrid origin of the Italian sparrow based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, microsatellites, and plumage coloration. These studies point to an important role for geographic isolation in the process of hybrid speciation, and provide a starting point for closer examination of the genetic and behavioural mechanisms involved.
杂交物种形成曾一度被认为在动物中较为罕见，但在过去十年中，随着分子分析技术的不断改进和研究关注度的提高，科学家们已经发现了许多相关的例子。在本期杂志中，两篇论文（Elgvin 等人，2011 年；Hermansen 等人，2011 年）基于核和线粒体 DNA 序列、微卫星和羽毛颜色，提供了有力的证据，证明了意大利麻雀的杂交起源。这些研究表明地理隔离在杂交物种形成过程中起着重要作用，并为进一步研究所涉及的遗传和行为机制提供了起点。
