In and out of Mesoamerica: temporal divergence ofAmaziliahummingbirds pre‐dates the orthodox account of the completion of theIsthmus ofPanama

Abstract

Aim We used mitochondrial DNA sequences to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of Mesoamerican Amazilia hummingbirds (Trochilidae). The phylogeny was used to identify vicariance scenarios, reconstruct ancestral biogeographical areas, and investigate the role of geological events in generating genetic divergence through vicariance events.Location Mesoamerica.Methods Molecular sequence data were gathered from three mitochondrial genes (ND2, ND5 and 12S) for samples taken within the Mesoamerican region and analysed using maximum parsimony, maximum-likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis (S-DIVA) was used to reconstruct biogeographical areas and changes in distribution during the evolutionary history of Amazilia. The phylogeny was calibrated using fossil dates, mean substitution rates and coalescent-based divergence time inference.Results Amazilia can be split into two divergent lineages, with high levels of sequence divergence within some Mesoamerican species. Ancestral area reconstructions favour an ancestral distribution west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, with subsequent dispersals east of the isthmus and to South America. Divergence time estimations suggest that major diversification events occurred in the Miocene and Pliocene, corresponding temporally and geographically to the formation of the mountain systems and establishment of the major biomes in Mesoamerica. Main conclusionsThe diversification of Amazilia corresponds to vegetation shifts in combination with regional orogenesis. Intriguingly, the timing of the major diversification events and dispersal into South America pre-dates the completion of the Panamanian isthmus c. 4 Ma before present.

Diversification patterns in the North Andean Block: a perspective from biogeographical hypotheses

“…These ancestral areas are congruent with the ones proposed previously in different hypotheses (e.g. Doan, 2003;Brumfield and Edwards, 2007;Ornelas et al, 2013). This indicates that the resulting ancestral distribution is maintained under different parameters and area scenarios used to address ancestral area analysis.…”

“…Once established in North Andean lowlands, the biota arrived at the highlands following the mountain-building of each Cordillera ca. (13-7 Ma) (Daza et al, 2010;Ornelas et al, 2013).…”

Matching loci surveyed to questions asked in phylogeography

“…R. Soc. B 283: 20152340 inferences of population divergence patterns solely on mtDNA [57][58][59][60] are probably reliable. However, our experimental design based on two-population comparison is relatively simple.…”

At the passing gate: past introgression in the process of species formation betweenAmazilia violicepsandA. viridifronshummingbirds along the Mexican Transition Zone

“…Our results from beast showed an age of 3.13–1.43 Ma for this species complex and 1.26–0.48 Ma for the divergence between A. villadai and the other groups, indicating that intraspecific structuring was affected by Pleistocene climatic cycles, as also suggested by the Amazilia phylogeny presented by Ornelas et al . () and the comprehensive hummingbird phylogeny of McGuire et al . ().…”