Discovery of a relict lineage and monotypic family of passerine birds

Alström, Per; Hooper, Daniel M.; Liu, Yang; Olsson, Urban; Mohan, Dhananjai; Gelang, Magnus; Manh, Hung Le; Zhao, Jian; Lei, Fumin; Price, Trevor D.

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2013.1067

Cited by 26 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…1). The clade encompasses all (except Regulus) genera that were originally placed in the group (Sibley and Ahlquist, 1990), and was only recovered very recently by Alström et al 2014. Even with additional genes and taxa in our study, the monophyly of Sylvioidea remained, including all the lineages responsible for previous paraphyly results of the superfamily, such as the titmicependuline tits, hyliotas, and fairy flycatchers (Alstrom et al, 2006;Fregin et al, 2012;Johansson et al, 2008; Fig.…”

Section: Passeridamentioning

confidence: 67%

A Paleogene origin for crown passerines and the diversification of the Oscines in the New World

Selvatti

Gonzaga

Russo

2015

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

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In this study, we present a detailed family-level phylogenetic hypothesis for the largest avian order (Aves: Passeriformes) and an unmatched multi-calibrated, relaxed clock inference for the diversification of crown passerines. Extended taxon sampling allowed the recovery of many challenging clades and elucidated their position in the tree. Acanthisittia appear to have diverged from all other passerines at the early Paleogene, which is considerably later than previously suggested. Thus, Passeriformes may be younger and represent an even more intense adaptive radiation compared to the remaining avian orders. Based on our divergence time estimates, a novel hypothesis for the diversification of modern Suboscines is proposed. According to this hypothesis, the first split between New and Old World lineages would be related to the severing of the Africa-South America biotic connection during the mid-late Eocene, implying an African origin for modern Eurylaimides. The monophyletic status of groups not recovered by any subsequent study since their circumscription, viz. Sylvioidea including Paridae, Remizidae, Hyliotidae, and Stenostiridae; and Muscicapoidea including the waxwing assemblage (Bombycilloidea) were notable topological findings. We also propose possible ecological interactions that may have shaped the distinct Oscine distribution patterns in the New World. The insectivorous endemic Oscines of the Americas, Vireonidae (Corvoidea), Mimidae, and Troglodytidae (Muscicapoidea), probably interfered with autochthonous Suboscines through direct competition. Thus, the Early Miocene arrival of these lineages before any other Oscines may have occupied the few available niches left by Tyrannides, constraining the diversification of insectivorous Oscines that arrived in the Americas later. The predominantly frugivorous-nectarivorous members of Passeroidea, which account for most of the diversity of New World-endemic Oscines, may not have been subjected to competition with Tyrannides. In fact, the vast availability of frugivory niches combined with weak competition with the autochthonous passerine fauna may have been crucial for passeroids to thrive in the New World.

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Section: Passeridamentioning

confidence: 67%

A Paleogene origin for crown passerines and the diversification of the Oscines in the New World

Selvatti

Gonzaga

Russo

2015

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

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“…However, because of the somewhat uncertain position of the accentors in relation to other passerine bird families (cf. Alström et al., ; Johansson, Fjeldså, & Bowie, ), the precise ancestral area of Prunella remains uncertain.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Explosive radiation and spatial expansion across the cold environments of the Old World in an avian family

Liu

Alström

Olsson

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Our objective was to elucidate the biogeography and speciation patterns in an entire avian family, which shows a complex pattern of overlapping and nonoverlapping geographical distributions, and much variation in plumage, but less in size and structure. We estimated the phylogeny and divergence times for all of the world's species of Prunella based on multiple genetic loci, and analyzed morphometric divergence and biogeographical history. The common ancestor of Prunella was present in the Sino‐Himalayan Mountains or these mountains and Central Asia–Mongolia more than 9 million years ago (mya), but a burst of speciations took place during the mid‐Pliocene to early Pleistocene. The relationships among the six primary lineages resulting from that differentiation are unresolved, probably because of the rapid radiation. A general increase in sympatry with increasing time since divergence is evident. With one exception, species in clades younger than c. 3.7 my are allopatric. Species that are widely sympatric, including the most recently diverged (2.4 mya) sympatric sisters, are generally more divergent in size/structure than allo‐/parapatric close relatives. The distributional pattern and inferred ages suggest divergence in allopatry and substantial waiting time until secondary contact, likely due to competitive exclusion. All sympatrically breeding species are ecologically segregated, as suggested by differences in size/structure and habitat. Colonizations of new areas were facilitated during glacial periods, followed by fragmentation during interglacials—contrary to the usual view that glacial periods resulted mainly in fragmentations.

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“…Gelang et al [10] has recognized five clades encompassing the babblers with four assigned the rank of subfamily (Leiothrichinae, Pellorneinae, Timaliinae and Zosteropinae) within a monophyletic Timaliidae that is sister to Sylviidae. Fregin et al [21], Alström et al [4,5] and Gill and Donsker [22] elevate each of the subfamilies within the Timaliidae sensu Gelang et al [10] to the rank of family whereas Moyle et al [11] treat Leiothrichinae, Pellorneinae, Timaliinae as subfamilies within Timaliidae and Zosteropidae and Sylviidae at the family level. While these studies have made great strides in elucidating the family-level relationships, the scope of the family has created a logistical hurdle to creating a comprehensive molecular phylogeny.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, developing a robust phylogeny for this diverse group is a necessary prerequisite for integrating the group into broader evolutionary and biogeographic studies. Given the number of species as well as their morphological and ecological diversity and high degree of character convergence this goal is not without its challenges but recent work has made considerable progress in imposing some taxonomic rigor on this diverse group [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stachyris and Alcippe are polyphyletic [7,11,19], Pomatorhinus and Actinodura are paraphyletic [8,9,11], Pteruthius and Erpornis are actually vireos, Vireonidae [6,13,20], Pnoepyga has been suggested to be placed in a separate family, Pnoepygidae [4,5,10,21] and the traditional babbler genus Yuhina is allied with the Zosteropidae [7,10,11]. Alström et al [5] supports the removal of Elachura formosa (previously Spelaeornis formosus) not just from an affiliation with the babblers but from the Sylvioidea superfamily entirely and into its own monotypic family, Elachuridae. Gelang et al [10] has recognized five clades encompassing the babblers with four assigned the rank of subfamily (Leiothrichinae, Pellorneinae, Timaliinae and Zosteropinae) within a monophyletic Timaliidae that is sister to Sylviidae.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A multilocus molecular phylogeny for the avian genus Liocichla (Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae: Liocichla)

et al. 2015

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Background: Historically the babblers have been assigned to the family Timaliidae but several recent studies have attempted to rest the taxonomy of this diverse passerine assemblage on a more firm evolutionary footing. The result has been a major rearrangement of the group. A well-supported and comprehensive phylogeny for this widespread avian group is an important part of testing evolutionary and biogeographic hypotheses, especially in Asia where the babblers are a key component of many forest ecosystems. However, the genus Liocichla is poorly represented in these prior studies of babbler systematics. Methods:We used a multilocus molecular genetic approach to generate a phylogenetic hypothesis for all five currently recognized species in the avian genus Liocichla. Multilocus DNA sequence data was used to construct individual gene trees using maximum likelihood and species trees were estimated from gene trees using Bayesian analyses. Divergence dates were obtained using a molecular clock approach. Conclusions:This study supports an origin of the Liocichla occurring sometime prior to the Miocene-Pliocene boundary, a period of significant climatic upheaval in Asia. The biogeographical patterns within the Liocichla mirror those of other birds in the region and allude to common geological and climatic drivers of avian diversification in Asia.

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Discovery of a relict lineage and monotypic family of passerine birds

Cited by 26 publications

References 24 publications

A Paleogene origin for crown passerines and the diversification of the Oscines in the New World

A Paleogene origin for crown passerines and the diversification of the Oscines in the New World

Explosive radiation and spatial expansion across the cold environments of the Old World in an avian family

A multilocus molecular phylogeny for the avian genus Liocichla (Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae: Liocichla)

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