Genetic variations and population differentiation in four species of shrikes based on mitochondrial (Mt) DNA cytochrome oxidase B gene

Members of the genus Lanius, known as shrikes, are economically important song birds distributed widely in several Asian countries. DNA sequencing, based on a partial segment of the cytochrome oxidase b (Cyt b) gene, was used to determine genetic variations and population genetic structure in four populations of shrike samples from north, east, and west Pakistan. We observed nucleotide diversities in L. isabellinus (= 0.02), L. schach (= 0.005), L. vittatus (= 0.004) and L. lahtora (= 0.008) . FST values were significant (P < 0.05) in all species populations apart from L. isabellinus, which were non-significant. The negative values of Fu's Fs and Tajima's D showed significant population expansion in three species, L. schach, L. vittatus and L. Lahtora, whereas they were insignificant in populations of L. isabellinus. Fu's Fs and Tajima's D values explain that a strong genetic structure is present among members of L. isabellinus. On this basis, it is inferred that strong genetic structuring in L. isabellinus populations within this region was largely shaped by a common origin, with secondary influences from geographical factors and isolation.