Range expansion of Brewer's blackbird: phenetics of a new population

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Abstract
The Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) is rapidly expanding its range eastward across Ontario and parts of the United States. This study was to determine if phenetic changes have taken place during or immediately after expansion. A sample was collected in 1968 in the vicinity of McKerrow, Ontario, near the periphery of the zone of expansion and where breeding was first recorded in 1962. For comparison, a second collection was made in the stable part of the range near Winnipeg, Manitoba. Statistical comparisons for 37 skin and skeletal characters were made between the two samples for both sexes. Tests for differences in character means suggest that strong directional selection, different from that in the stable part of the range, is not operating in the newly occupied area. Likewise, differences in population variability seem slight and do not show alterations in genetic variability that would be expected during a Carsonian population flush or that would be expected because of a partial founder effect.

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