Genetic evidence of hybridization of the world's most endangered tern, the Chinese Crested Tern Thalasseus bernsteini

We collected multi-locus data to test whether hybridization has occurred between a critically endangered waterbird, the Chinese Crested Tern Thalasseus bernsteini, and the Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii. Phylogenetic analysis shows these two tern species are sister species, having diverged <1million years ago. Our findings suggest a grave threat to the survival of the Chinese Crested Tern, and illustrate the need for conservation managers to monitor further hybridization of this endangered tern species.