Sammendrag
Based on phenotypes, two subspecies of Eurasian Magpies (
Pica pica
) are recognized in
Norway, with nominate
P. p. pica
in southern Norway, and
P. p. fennorum
in northern
Norway. In this study, we investigated whether there are genetically distinct groups of
Magpies in Norway, which can be considered in
the discussion of the subspecies status.
We collected DNA from 61 Magpies from seven locations in Norway, and measured ge-
netic diversity using two types of markers: mitochondrial DNA sequences and
microsatellites. Genetic differentiation among the Magpies was extremely low. Most of
the variance was within populations, and th
e population identity and the putative subspe
-
cies border did not explain the genetic variance among the samples. Although
microsatellite markers indicated genetic differentiation, the pattern was not consistent
with the geographic locations of the sampling sites. Mismatch analysis suggested that the
Magpie populations in Norway were formed by rapid expansion. Our results suggest that
all the Magpies in Norway have originated from the same refugia after the last glaciation,
their colonization in Norway happened quickly, and that the subspecies status of Magpies
in Norway needs to be reconsidered
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