Patterns of genetic and morphological divergence reveal a species complex in the Plain Wren (<i>Cantorchilus modestus</i>)

Saucier, Jacob; Sánchez, César; Carling, Matthew D.

doi:10.1642/auk-15-8.1

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…However, the overall well-described Panamanian avifauna make a lack of observation less likely than elsewhere in the Neotropics (Angehr and Dean 2010; Ridgely and Gwynne 1992; Wetmore 1965, 1968, 1972; Wetmore, Pasquier, and Olson 1984), and many splits within inconspicuous understory birds have been previously described (e.g. Saucier, Sánchez, and Carling 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative phylogeography reveals widespread cryptic diversity driven by ecology in Panamanian birds

McLaughlin

Aguilar

Bernstein

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Defining phenotypically similar populations as separate cryptic species can provide insights into the speciation process, as the taxa in question are often in the early stages of speciation. Here, we identify potential cryptic species based on a comprehensive dataset of COI mitochondrial DNA barcodes from 2,333 individual Panamanian birds across 429 species, representing 391 (59%) of the 659 resident landbird species of the country, as well as opportunistically sampled waterbirds. We complement this dataset with additional publicly available mitochondrial loci, such as ND2 and cytochrome b, obtained from whole mitochondrial genomes from 20 taxa. Using barcode identification numbers (BINs), we find putative cryptic species in 19% of landbird species, highlighting hidden diversity in the relatively well-described avifauna of Panama. Whereas some of these mitochondrial divergence corresponded with recognized geographic features that likely isolated populations, such as the Cordillera Central, the majority (74%) of lowland splits were between eastern and western populations. The timing of these events did not coincide across taxa, suggesting that historical events, such as the formation of the Isthmus of Panama and Pleistocene climatic cycles, were not the primary drivers of speciation. Rather, we observed that forest species, understory species, insectivores, and strongly territorial species- all traits associated with lower dispersal ability- were all more likely to have multiple BINs in Panama, suggesting strong ecological associations with divergences. Additionally, hand-wing index, a proxy for dispersal capability, was significantly lower in species with multiple BINs. These results suggest that dispersal ability plays an important role in generating diversity in Neotropical birds. Together, these results underscore the need for evolutionary studies of tropical bird communities to consider ecological factors along with geographic explanations, and that even in areas with well-known avifauna, avian diversity may be substantially underestimated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative phylogeography reveals widespread cryptic diversity driven by ecology in Panamanian birds

McLaughlin

Aguilar

Bernstein

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…We can thus conclude that Farrabaugh's findings have been proven wrong and thus the statements about voice in Saucier et al (2015) should be discarded ! About Canebrake Wren T. zeledoni Stiles & Skutch (1989) indicate: Songs and calls are generally lower-pitched and more throaty; also gives a series of harsh slurred whistles.…”

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confidence: 86%

“…These findings are somewhat surprising as NACC followed Saucier et al (2015) in elevating both races to species rank citing as important supporting evidence significant differences in song duet pattern. Saucier et al (2015) apparently only used evidence from a previous study by Mann et al (2003), indicating that there are substantial differences in duetting structure. Mann et al (2003) however only compared his own observations for modestus (??)…”

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confidence: 92%

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294. Notes on the vocalizations of Plain Wren (Thryothorus modestus) and Canebrake Wren (Thryothorus zeledoni)

Boesman¹

2016

Orn. Notes

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“…For this reason, many species inhabiting this life zone in Costa Rica tend to be at the southern limit of their range ( Slud 1964 ). However, recent studies based on both morphological and molecular data have reported that at least some of these taxa, such as the Plain Wren ( Cantorchilus modestus ), are in fact species complexes ( Saucier et al 2015 ), thus warranting analyses of similar species complexes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The avian community of the Karen Mogensen Reserve, a wealth of biodiversity within the poorly investigated and threatened environments of northwestern Costa Rica

Zotto¹,

Romeo²,

Aguilar³

et al. 2017

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Despite being characterized by some of the most threatened forest ecosystems of Mesoamerica, the Nicoya Peninsula is among the least known regions of neotropical Costa Rica in terms of its birdlife. Within this region, in the framework of an ongoing international cooperation program between Italy and Costa Rica, we had the opportunity to investigate the Karen Mogensen Reserve, a protected area distinguished by the presence of a variety of habitats, including tropical dry forest and moist forest. Species richness in the Reserve was relatively high compared with similar areas in northwestern Costa Rica. A series of surveys carried out over a 20-year period documented an avian community consisting of 207 species, of which 115 were breeding in the zone and another 14 were potentially breeding. We recorded five IUCN globally Vulnerable or Near-Threatened species, along with six species reported for the first time from the Nicoya Peninsula, each representing range extension of more than 100 km. Twenty-six species, mostly breeding in the area, are at their southernmost range borders, and are likely susceptible to global environmental alterations, such as the effects of climate change. Furthermore, our study revealed the presence of two species endemic to a restricted area of Central America and four subspecies endemic to Costa Rica, along with breeding populations of two species that are geographically isolated from the main ones. The present analysis led to the ecological characterization of the resident avian community, showing that 65% of the species are strictly associated with forested environments, and especially with the understory or middle tree level, hence more vulnerable to environmental change (climatic, anthropogenic, etc.) and susceptible to local extinction. These results underscore the importance of the Karen Mogensen Reserve for bird conservation within a vulnerable environmental context, and warrant the continuation of periodic bird surveys, taxonomic study of isolated populations or endemic taxa, and improvement of local conservation measures. The data collected will be an important tool for future studies aimed at evaluating the consequences of habitat fragmentation and to monitor the effects of climate change on the resident avifauna. We exhort the creation of programs that integrate bird monitoring, ecological research, conservation initiatives, and the involvement of the local communities, by promoting environmental education, capacity-building, and income generation. To this purpose, the Karen Mogensen Reserve may represent a convincing model and valuable example to apply in similar neotropical contexts.

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Patterns of genetic and morphological divergence reveal a species complex in the Plain Wren (Cantorchilus modestus)

Cited by 7 publications

References 50 publications

Comparative phylogeography reveals widespread cryptic diversity driven by ecology in Panamanian birds

Comparative phylogeography reveals widespread cryptic diversity driven by ecology in Panamanian birds

294. Notes on the vocalizations of Plain Wren (Thryothorus modestus) and Canebrake Wren (Thryothorus zeledoni)

The avian community of the Karen Mogensen Reserve, a wealth of biodiversity within the poorly investigated and threatened environments of northwestern Costa Rica

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