First record of hybridization between subspecies of the Japanese Wood Pigeon Columba janthina on the Ogasawara Islands

Scientists document the first recorded instance of hybridization between subspecies of the Japanese Wood Pigeon (Columba janthina) on the Ogasawara Islands. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the species' reproductive behavior in this remote Pacific archipelago. Researchers employed morphological analysis and genetic sequencing to confirm hybrid individuals exhibiting traits from both C. j. janthina (the nominate subspecies) and C. j. inframaculata. The findings suggest potential gene flow between subspecies, with implications for understanding speciation processes in isolated island ecosystems.

ANDO, H., OGAWA, H., SUZUKI, H., HORIKOSHI, K., NAKAHARA, F., KAWAKAMI, K., & ISAGI, Y. (2015). First record of hybridization between subspecies of the Japanese Wood Pigeon Columba janthina on the Ogasawara Islands. Japanese Journal of Ornithology, 64(2), 261–265. https://doi.org/10.3838/jjo.64.261