This article describes how researchers discovered that southwestern willow flycatchers in southern California have evolved in response to climate change. Southwestern willow flycatcher (SWFL) populations are threatened by climate change and habitat loss. By sequencing DNA from historical SWFL samples and comparing these to modern samples, researchers determined that modern SWFL were more likely to have beneficial genes that help them cope with changing climate. These genes were likely introduced to the southern CA population via interbreeding with willow flycatchers from the Pacific Northwest and Desert Southwest.
Selig, K. (2023) 'This songbird's genes may show how climate change has sped up evolution', Washington Post, 23 Aug, NA, available: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/23/songbird-genetic-adaptation-climate-change/.
Read the article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/08/23/songbird-genetic-adaptation-climate-change/