Abstract
Captive bird hybrids can provide important data on certain traits, such as hybrid viability and fertility. In this paper, we describe four hybrids between the Chiloé wigeon (Anas sibilatrix) and the Philippine duck (Anas luzonica). These two species diverged about 13 million years ago and are found on different continents, making the occurrence of wild hybrids extremely unlikely. Hence, these captive hybrids provide a unique opportunity to learn more about the outcome of hybridization between these highly divergent species. One pair of hybrids mated and produced six unfertilized eggs, suggesting that hybrids between these species are infertile. Morphologically, the hybrids were slightly larger than the parental species, but had intermediate bill lengths. With regard to plumage patterns, the hybrids displayed characteristics of both parental species: Males developed the iridescent green head pattern of the Chiloé wigeon, whereas the females showed the dark crown and eye stripe of the Philippine duck. Interestingly, Chiloé wigeon and Philippine duck are both sexually monochromatic whereas the hybrids showed clear sexual dimorphism. These hybrids can thus lead to novel insights into the genetic and developmental basis of sexual mono‐ and dichromatism in ducks.
Highlights
Hybridization among captive birds is a relatively common phenomenon
The focus of hybridization research is mainly on wild hybrids, captive crosses can provide important information on particular traits that are difficult to measure in wild populations, such as viability and fertility of hybrid offspring (Arrieta et al, 2013; Lijtmaer et al, 2003; Tubaro & Lijtmaer, 2002)
We describe captive hybrids between the Chiloé wigeon (Anas sibilatrix) and the Philippine duck (Anas luzonica)
Summary
Hybridization among captive birds is a relatively common phenomenon. According to the latest estimates, about 6% of documented bird hybrids are only known from captivity (Ottenburghs et al, 2015). Many captive hybrids have been reported in the studbooks of zoos (Olney, 2003) or in the gray literature, such as magazines on bird breeding and husbandry. In an article on putative mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) hybrids, Johnsgard (1968) referenced several articles from the Avicultural Magazine (Prestwich, 1960; Seth-Smith, 1922). These primary sources are often hard to obtain and occasionally contain dubious information or anecdotal evidence, making it difficult to assess their reliability. We describe captive hybrids between the Chiloé wigeon (Anas sibilatrix) and the Philippine duck (Anas luzonica). The Chiloé wigeon is named after the Chiloé islands in southern
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