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Recent beak evolution in North American starlings after invasion
Julia M Zichello1,2, Shelagh T DeLiberto3, Paul Holmes4
1Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA. Julia.Zichello@hunter.cuny.edu.
Scientific Reports
|January 3, 2024
Summary
European starlings show rapid evolutionary changes since their introduction to North America. Their beaks are now 8% longer, and bodies are smaller, indicating adaptation to new environments.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Invasive species research
- Ornithology
Background:
- European starlings are a globally abundant invasive avian species.
- Their rapid expansion makes them a model for studying evolutionary change and adaptive plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatiotemporal morphological variation of European starlings in North America and their native range.
- To identify potential drivers of observed morphological differences.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1217 specimens, including historical museum skins and modern birds.
- Comparison of beak length and body size between native and introduced populations.
Main Results:
- Beak length in the native range remained unchanged over 206 years.
- North American starlings exhibit an 8% increase in beak length compared to native populations.
- North American starlings are smaller in body size than their native counterparts.
Conclusions:
- Morphological changes in European starlings coincide with their invasion into novel environments.
- Observed variations suggest rapid recent evolutionary adaptation, potentially driven by diet or climate.
- Founder effects may also contribute to the observed differences in body size.
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