Mitochondrial DNA diversification among the subspecies of the Silver and Kalij Pheasants, Lophura nycthemera and L. leucomelanos, Phasianidae

Abstract

The taxonomic status of the pheasant superspecies Lophura leucomelanos and Lophura nycthemera has been unclear since 1948. Molecular techniques provided the opportunity to clarify the situation. Using sequences of mitochondrial DNA (800 nucleotides from the D‐loop, plus 400 from the cyt b) from 49 specimens belonging to 10 subspecies (plus two outgroups), we constructed a phylogeny of the subspecies of L. nycthemera and L. leucomelanos. Our data support the monophyly of both species. L. l. lineata and L. l. crawfurdi belong to L. leucomelanos and not to L. nycthemera (suggested by other authors). Our data also confirm a northern locality of origin (Central Buthan) for L. l. moffitti, and have clarified the relationships between subspecies within each species: there are three groups within L. leucomelanos and two within L. nycthemera.

Evolution of sexual size dimorphism in grouse and allies (Aves: Phasianidae) in relation to mating competition, fecundity demands and resource division

“…Within‐genera topologies were taken from Randi & Lucchini (1998) for Alectoris, Kimball et al. (1999) for Gallus, Bloomer & Crowe (1998) for Francolinus and Moulin et al. (2003) and Hennache et al.…”

“…Relationships between genera were taken from Kimball et al (2001) and within the Tetraoninae from Dimcheff et al (2002). Within-genera topologies were taken from Randi & Lucchini (1998) for Alectoris, Kimball et al (1999) for Gallus, Bloomer & Crowe (1998) for Francolinus and Moulin et al (2003) and Hennache et al (2003) for Lophura. In all phylogenetic analyses branch lengths were set to unity.…”

The status and conservation of Galliformes in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

“…McGowan and Panchen 1994), of which six occur within Indochina: nycthemera (including 'beaulieui'); berliozi; beli; annamensis; lewisi; and engelbachi. Recent sequencing of mitochondrial DNA (Moulin et al 2004;Moulin 2004) suggests that the relationships of some of these forms require more detailed analyses. Although these authors did not have access to samples from all subspecies, they did conclude that, based on mtDNA, whilst berliozi and lewisi were best treated as distinct subspecies, annamensis and engelbachi should be treated together (as annamensis) and beaulieui should be included with four other subspecies in the otherwise extralimital ruWpes (Moulin 2004).…”

Phylogeography of Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera L.) across China: aggregate effects of refugia, introgression and riverine barriers

“…However, a previous phylogenetic reconstruction based on mtDNA covering five subspecies, which included three from Southeast Asia suggested a basal divergence between the south‐west ( L. n. jonesi , L. n. lewisi , L. n. annanmensis ) and north‐east ( L. n. nycthemera and L. n. berliozi ) taxa (Moulin et al . ). This is consistent with the divergence patterns in our samples from China, but dedicated sampling of more Southeast Asian populations will be necessary to explore phylogeographic and hybridization patterns in the tropical regions.…”

“…A previous study revealed two clades in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from the control region (CR) and partial cytochrome b (cyt b ) by investigating five subspecies of Silver Pheasant (Moulin et al . ). However, the sampling scheme (only 24 individuals, including 20 from captive breeders) provided very limited possibilities to reveal phylogeographic patterns and test for historical climatic and topological impact on population divergence in Silver Pheasant.…”