Evolution2016: Leo presented on the genomic landscape of differentiation in capuchino seedeaters at the Evolution conference in Austin, TX. The Capuchino’s have shown very little genetic differences in previous studies, but using data from whole genome sequencing we were able to find narrow divergence peaks among species. Many of these peaks contain genes involved in melanogenesis, possibly the drivers of coloration differences in adult capuchino males. The data point to differences in non coding areas of the genome, suggesting that sequences that control gene expression have been under selection.
