DNA-DNA Hybridization Evidence of Phylogenetic Relationships among Major Lineages of Parus

DNA-DNA hybrids were formed among 2 outgroups and 12 taxa of titmice and chickadees to estimate the genealogical relationships of the main Parus lineages. A complete matrix of reciprocal comparisons among seven parids and the Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) indicated that the Blue Tit (P. caeruleus) and Great Tit (P. major) together form the sister group of the rest of the genus, and that the Bridled Titmouse (P. wollweberi) is more closely related to North American titmice than to the Old World crested tits. The DNA-hybridization data complement information from allozyme and mtDNA studies of closely related parids and provide historical insight into patterns of tit behavior.