Dynamic colonization exchanges between continents and islands drive diversification in paradise‐flycatchers (Terpsiphone, Monarchidae)

Abstract

Aim We use parametric biogeographical reconstruction based on an extensive DNA sequence dataset to characterize the spatio‐temporal pattern of colonization of the Old World monarch flycatchers (Monarchidae). We then use this framework to examine the role of dispersal and colonization in their evolutionary diversification and to compare plumages between island and continental Terpsiphone species. Location Africa, Asia and the Indian Ocean. Methods We generate a DNA sequence dataset of 2300 bp comprising one nuclear and three mitochondrial markers for 89% (17/19) of the Old World Monarchidae species and 70% of the Terpsiphone subspecies. By applying maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic methods and implementing a Bayesian molecular clock to provide a temporal framework, we reveal the evolutionary history of the group. Furthermore, we employ both Lagrange and Bayes‐Lagrange analyses to assess ancestral areas at each node of the phylogeny. By combining the ancestral area reconstruction with information on plumage traits we are able to compare patterns of plumage evolution on islands and continents. Results We provide the first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic reconstruction for the Old World Monarchidae. Our phylogenetic results reveal a relatively recent diversification associated with several dispersal events within this group. Moreover, ancestral area analyses reveal an Asian origin of the Indian Ocean and African clades. Ancestral state reconstruction analyses of plumage characters provide an interpretation of the plumage differentiation on islands and continents. Ancestral plumage traits are inferred to be close to those of the Asian paradise‐flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi), and island species display a high degree of plumage autapomorphy compared with continental species. Main conclusions Terpsiphone paradisi is polyphyletic and comprises populations that have retained the ancestral plumage of the widespread Terpsiphone genus. The genus appears to have colonized south‐west Asia, the Indian Ocean and Africa from eastern Asia. The phylogeny and divergence time estimates indicate multiple simultaneous colonizations of the western Old World by Terpsiphone. These results reinforce a hypothesis of range expansions of a Terpsiphone paradisi‐like ancestor into eastern Asia and the western Old World.

Worldwide patterns of bird colouration on islands

“…Contrary to what we found for plumage intensity (brightness and colour volume), our analyses suggested that the decrease in the number of coloured plumage patches (a proxy of signal complexity) is stronger for male than female island birds. This concurs with previous studies that found indication of a reduction in the number of patches in insular male birds at the intraspecific level (Fitzpatrick 1998) and in paradise flycatchers (Fabre et al 2012). Although the number of colour patches could be linked to other functions, such as camouflage or mate choice, our result suggests that the number of colour patches responds, at least in part, to interspecific interactions and species recognition.…”

“…This concurs with previous studies that found indication of a reduction in the number of patches in insular male birds at the intraspecific level (Fitzpatrick ) and in paradise flycatchers (Fabre et al . ). Although the number of colour patches could be linked to other functions, such as camouflage or mate choice, our result suggests that the number of colour patches responds, at least in part, to interspecific interactions and species recognition.…”

“…This idea is based on a few studies that investigated variation on a small number of islands, species or families (Grant ; Figuerola & Green ; Roulin & Salamin ; Fabre et al . ). The only large‐scale study available was conducted on Western Palearctic insular subspecies (Fitzpatrick ) and found partial support for the idea of decreased colouration on islands.…”

“…In birds, it is often thought that insular taxa evolve dull colouration and are less sexually dichromatic, but supporting evidence is actually very limited. This idea is based on a few studies that investigated variation on a small number of islands, species or families (Grant 1965;Figuerola & Green 2000;Roulin & Salamin 2010;Fabre et al 2012). The only large-scale study available was conducted on Western Palearctic insular subspecies (Fitzpatrick 1998) and found partial support for the idea of decreased colouration on islands.…”

Timing and Number of Colonizations but Not Diversification Rates Affect Diversity Patterns in Hemosporidian Lineages on a Remote Oceanic Archipelago

“…Such a topological arrangement may arise from either phylogenetic uncertainty or reverse colonization. Reverse colonization seems unlikely in our study system, because we focused on small and remote islands (Bellemain and Ricklefs 2008), with no evidence that reverse colonization has ever happened in any group of the potential bird hosts for which phylogenetic evidence is available (see, e.g., Warren et al 2005Warren et al , 2006Fabre et al 2012). Thus, we expect the potential effect of nested mainland haplotypes to be mostly due to phylogenetic uncertainty and unlikely to qualitatively change our conclusions.…”