<p>Birds with multiple versions of their colour patterns evolved into new species more quickly than those with uniform plumage, Australian researchers revealed in a significant genetic study published today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The University of Melbourne research, published in “Nature”, found that birds with more than one version of its markings such as the Gouldian finch, which can have a red, black or yellow head, “rapidly” evolved into new species.<br /><br />The study proves a theory in evolutionary biology first proposed 60 years ago and helps shed light on the processes that create biodiversity, according to lead researcher Devi Stuart-Fox.<br /><br />“We’re trying to figure out how and why new species evolve... the triggers and catalysts,” she said.<br /><br />“Why will some populations evolve into new species while others just stay the same for millions and millions and millions of years?”<br /><br />Though they look different, the finches in the study coexist within a single population and Stuart-Fox said the study found they evolved into genetically new species much faster than uniformly-coloured birds.<br /><br />“This is the first time that we’ve been able to show that it actually speeds up speciation rates or rates of evolution,” she added.<br /><br />Hawks, eagles, owls and nightjars were the focus of the Melbourne study but birds are not the only animals with so-called “colour polymorphic” species — it was also a feature of fish, lizards, butterflies and snails.<br /><br />The different colour versions often varied in things like physiology and behaviour and Stuart-Fox said their inclusion within a single population “might allow (it) to exist in a broader range of environments”.<br /><br />Some researchers were examining whether and how colour polymorphism contributed to species’ resilience and adaptability to external factors such as habitat loss and climate change, she added.</p>
<p>Birds with multiple versions of their colour patterns evolved into new species more quickly than those with uniform plumage, Australian researchers revealed in a significant genetic study published today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The University of Melbourne research, published in “Nature”, found that birds with more than one version of its markings such as the Gouldian finch, which can have a red, black or yellow head, “rapidly” evolved into new species.<br /><br />The study proves a theory in evolutionary biology first proposed 60 years ago and helps shed light on the processes that create biodiversity, according to lead researcher Devi Stuart-Fox.<br /><br />“We’re trying to figure out how and why new species evolve... the triggers and catalysts,” she said.<br /><br />“Why will some populations evolve into new species while others just stay the same for millions and millions and millions of years?”<br /><br />Though they look different, the finches in the study coexist within a single population and Stuart-Fox said the study found they evolved into genetically new species much faster than uniformly-coloured birds.<br /><br />“This is the first time that we’ve been able to show that it actually speeds up speciation rates or rates of evolution,” she added.<br /><br />Hawks, eagles, owls and nightjars were the focus of the Melbourne study but birds are not the only animals with so-called “colour polymorphic” species — it was also a feature of fish, lizards, butterflies and snails.<br /><br />The different colour versions often varied in things like physiology and behaviour and Stuart-Fox said their inclusion within a single population “might allow (it) to exist in a broader range of environments”.<br /><br />Some researchers were examining whether and how colour polymorphism contributed to species’ resilience and adaptability to external factors such as habitat loss and climate change, she added.</p>