Songbirds swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors

By: David Toews, Penn State, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 11, 2025

Words: 1,237

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By David Toews, Penn State

People typically think about evolution as a linear process where, within a species, the classic adage of “survival of the fittest” is constantly at play. New DNA mutations arise and get passed from parents to offspring. If any genetic changes prove to be beneficial, they might give those young a survival edge.

Over the great span of time – through the slow closing of a land bridge here or the rise …

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