Skotska gärdsmygar håller på att utvecklas till nya arter på öar

28 maj 2026

Rapporterad av AI

Små gärdsmygar på avlägsna skotska öar växer sig betydligt större än sina släktingar på fastlandet och utvecklar särdrag som kan leda till nya arter.

Forskare vid University of Birmingham studerade fyra isolerade populationer av gärdsmygar i Skottland, däribland de på Shetlandsöarna, Fair Isle, Yttre Hebriderna och St Kilda. Fåglarna på St Kilda väger nu mellan 13 och 16 gram, jämfört med 7 till 10 gram för fåglar på det brittiska fastlandet. De största gärdsmygarna på St Kilda är mer än dubbelt så stora som de minsta exemplaren från fastlandet.

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