Population genomic data from five species of brood parasitic birds, representing three independent origins of the trait, enabled the identification of shared signatures of natural selection reflecting repeated adaptation in species with this lifestyle. This repeated signal of adaptation is present in particular in genes involved in spermatogenesis and neural development.
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References
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This is a summary of: Osipova, E. et al. Comparative population genomics reveals convergent adaptation across independent origins of avian obligate brood parasitism. Nat. Ecol. Evol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-025-02919-w (2025).
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Repeated adaptation in sperm-related and neuronal genes in brood parasitic birds. Nat Ecol Evol 10, 26–27 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-025-02920-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-025-02920-3
