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Fig. 1 | BMC Evolutionary Biology

Fig. 1

From: Genetic, phenotypic and ecological differentiation suggests incipient speciation in two Charadrius plovers along the Chinese coast

Fig. 1

Sampling localities, morphology and trophic level differentiation of the Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus (blue) and the White-faced Plover C. dealbatus (yellow). a Samples were from an inland site (1, Qinghai Lake), 16 Chinese mainland coastal localities (2, Tangshan; 3, Cangzhou; 4, Weifang; 5, Lianyungang; 6, Nantong; 7, Ningbo; 8, Zhoushan; 9, Wenzhou; 12, Fuzhou; 13, Xiamen; 14, Jinmen; 15, Shanwei; 16, Yangjiang; 17, Zhanjiang; 18, Beihai and 19, Dongfang), and two localities on Taiwan Island (10, Xinbei and 11, Zhanghua). Map source: National Geomatics Center of China (http://www.ngcc.cn). Differences observed between two Charadrius species in several characters. C. alexandrinus has on average shorter bill length (except for Taiwan populations) (b), wing length (c) and lower body mass (except for Taiwan populations) (d) than C. dealbatus. Localities with less than five measured adults were excluded in these analyses. e C. alexandrinus has darker plumage than C. dealbatus in general and males of the latter species have less black tinges on their face and neck during breeding season. Shaochong Peng drew the artwork of the two species of plovers and these images used with permission. f Plots of the first two principal components and their associated variance showed the subtle morphometric differences between the two species. g Pairwise morphological difference QST plotted against geographical distance between coastal populations of C. alexandrinus and C. dealbatus. QST values within species are marked by blue or yellow dots. QST between species (grey circles) declined as the distance increased (regression showed as the dashed line)

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