Lump the gulls?   Ringler can't get off the hook that easily.   The Barcode 
paper examined variability in a short segment of the cytochrome c oxidase I 
gene.   I have seen estimates by geneticists that at least 20 genes must be 
studied to arrive at any kind of certainty when trying to determine whether two 
populations represent two separate species.   The CYOI marker is one of the most 
frequently used, but we need 19 more from other genes.   So don't tear up your 
old field guides just yet.   

Incidentally, the subspecies pairs cited have been candidates for splitting 
for quite a while and for other reasons than DNA marker studies.   So keep a 
lookout for them and you might be banking future full species.   As for the 
gulls, they obviously don't differ by a whole lot and we shouldn't be surprised to 
find that they share one gene out of maybe 10 thousand.   Sorry Bob.

Paul O'Brien
Rockville, Mont. Co., MD

In a message dated 2/20/07 9:20:30 AM,  writes:


> Jim,
>    Actually, the good news is that eight species of gulls were virtually DNA 
> identical. Lump 'em!
> 
> --
> Bob Ringler
> Eldersburg MD
> 
> 
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: "FELLEY, JAMES" <>
> 
> > The good news: a Robot birdwatcher to reduce GBBC tedium
> >
> >
> > http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn11211-robot-birdwatcher-joins-
> > hunt-for-elusive-woodpecker.html
> >
> > The bad news: a lot new bird species in North America that we may never
> > be able to ID
> >
> > http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070218194535.htm
> 




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