It was observed that a bird species split into two

Picture 1 of It was observed that a bird species split into two For the first time, researchers obtained evidence of divisions in a bird's migration pattern - the behavior is still hypothesized to lead to new species formation.

The European black-headed bird (blackcap), which often breeds in Austria and Germany, is beginning to fly to different places in the winter: a group that flies south to Portugal, Spain and South Africa, while the other group flew north to England and Ireland.

Scientists studying these two groups found that birds that were still "North" together in the winter tended to pair up when returning to Austria and Germany. They also have more children than the group still marching south - which can help them improve their chances of evolution in divisions.

The group of birds flying to England tend to return to the breeding area earlier than the group going south, which allows them to get the best territories, Stuart Bearhop ornithologist from Queen's University (Northern Ireland). ), said.

Whether the simultaneous occurrence of both selective mating and the production of more eggs that create the evolutionary separation between male and northern advancing groups is still a question. However, the fact that scientists show this phenomenon is an important step in understanding that possibility.

T. An ( according to Scientific American )