Genetic confirmation of the species status of Jabouilleia naungmungensis

Abstract

Species assessment of allopatric taxa is problematic. Here we consider the case of the Naung Mung Scimitar Babbler (Jabouilleia naungmungensis) from northern Myanmar. This bird was recognized as a new species in its original description, but was subsequently considered to be a subspecies of J. danjoui. We review the procedures used to make this assessment, and consider them in light of morphological (significantly different bill and hallux claw lengths) and new genetic (7.0% genetic distance, cytochrome b) information. Based on this reconsideration, taking acoustic information into account, we conclude that the data unequivocally confirm the recognition of J. naungmungensis as a full species.

Pilot biodiversity assessment of the Hkakabo Razi passerine avifauna in northern Myanmar – implications for conservation from molecular genetics

“…to a valid subspecies in most cases. Thus, given the support from further morphological and bioacoustic analyses (as in the case of Rimator naungmungensis; Renner et al 2018) our results could justify up-ranking of 13 subspecies that are at least partly endemic to the Northern Mountain Forests of Myanmar to full species-level taxa.…”

“…The combined use of different independent analytical approaches for species diagnosis (using phenotypical and bioacoustic traits as well as molecular markers) including their taxonomy and systematic classification has recently been discussed under the flagship term 'integrative taxonomy' (Padial et al 2010, Schlick-Steiner et al 2010. This multi-dimensional approach has been applied to a number of South-East Asian and Indomalayan bird species (Irestedt et al 2013, Päckert et al 2014) some of them new to science (Alström et al 2015(Alström et al , 2016 including a re-evaluation of the species status of the endemic Rimator naungmungensis from northern Myanmar (Renner et al 2018).…”

“…This decision was taken without knowing the strongest argument for this split, i.e. the strikingly high genetic distances of almost 10% between Rimator naungmungensis and R. danjoui (Renner et al 2018). Because recognition of species-level taxa predominantly depends on the species concept and the criteria of species delimitation applied (Sangster 2009), local and regional species richness and the number of endemics are also affected by these conceptual aspects (Peterson and Navarro-Sigüenza 1999).…”

“…However, one narrow-range endemic of the northern mountain forests is the Naung Mung Wren-babbler Rimator naungmungensis. Though subject to lively debate since its scientific description by Rappole et al (2005) its species status is well justified based on the results of genetic analyses (Renner et al 2018).…”

Use of bioacoustics in species identification: Piranhas from genus Pygocentrus (Teleostei: Serrasalmidae) as a case study

“…The specific features of calls easily explain why sounds were successfully used to differentiate species of orthopterans [ 12 ], teleosts [ 13 ], birds [ 14 , 15 ], bats [ 16 , 17 ], and cetaceans [ 18 – 20 ]. Bioacoustics is also used as part of the diagnosis in bird species [ 14 ] where call features complement genetic and morphological data [ 21 – 27 ] simply because the use of acoustic signals is far easier to distinguish the species in the field. To the best of our knowledge, the consolidation of a fish species diagnosis with acoustic data has only been done in Encheliophis chardewalli (Carapidae) in which the comparison with other sympatric species of the same tribe supports a distinct repertoire [ 28 ].…”