# Extreme elevational migration spurred cryptic speciation in giant hummingbirds

*PRI Rank #20 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Avian ecology and behavior Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/avian-ecology-and-behavior/2026/rank-20*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #20 |
| 18m citations | 17 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1073/pnas.2313599121 |
| Corresponding authors | Jessie L. Williamson, Christopher C. Witt |
| Institution | University of New Mexico, United States |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Avian ecology and behavior Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/avian-ecology-and-behavior/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1073/pnas.2313599121](https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2313599121)

## Topics

Patagona gigas · Patagona gigas · Altitudinal migration · cryptic speciation · Climatic niche breadth · Central Andean Plateau · loop migration · satellite tracking · Light-level geolocation · altitude acclimatization · blood-hemoglobin concentration · population genomics · postzygotic barriers · gene flow · high-elevation resident populations · respiratory traits · diversifying selection · migratory behavior evolution · niche expansion · physiological performance trade-offs

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Avian ecology and behavior Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/avian-ecology-and-behavior/2026. Accessed 2026-07-21.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```