Patterns of morphological and genetic variation in the Mentocrex kioloides complex (Aves: Gruiformes: Rallidae) from Madagascar, with the description of a new species

Abstract

We examine patterns of morphological and molecular genetic differentiation in the endemic Mentocrex kioloides complex of Madagascar. This forest-dwelling rail (often placed in Canirallus) is known from two subspecies: M. k. kioloides, which occurs in the island’s humid central and eastern forests; and M. k. berliozi, which occurs in the transitional dry deciduoushumid forests of the northwest. Two new specimens (an adult and a downy young) recently became available from limestone karst areas of the lowland central west, the adult of which is notably different in size and plumage coloration, as well as showing considerable genetic divergence, from the two recognized subspecies of M. kioloides. The central west animals are herein named as a species new to science, Mentocrex beankaensis, sp. nov.

Contrasting patterns of diversification in a bird family (Aves: Gruiformes: Rallidae) are revealed by analysis of geospatial distribution of species and phylogenetic diversity

“…For instance, Madagascar contains the majority of deep phylogenetic palaeo-endemism in rails (e.g. the habitat generalist Dryolimnas cuvieri and the forest-dwelling Mentocrex kioloides, Goodman et al 2011) and the importance of this island as a centre of endemism is supported by studies on other birds ) and mammals (Wilmé et al 2006, Rosauer andJetz 2014). Madagascar presents three major massifs and a humid eastern biome with forest patches acting as refugia during periods of drier climate that facilitate species accumulation, allopatric speciation and numerous evolutionary radiations linked to pronounced regional and local environmental gradients (Wilmé et al 2006, Vences et al 2009, Jetz et al 2012, Brown et al 2014.…”

Potential merger of ancient lineages in a passerine bird discovered based on evidence from host‐specific ectoparasites

“…; Goodman et al. ). This study represents the densest and largest sampling yet presented for a Malagasy endemic bird and the first for a species within one of Madagascar's endemic avian radiations.…”

“…In addition to contributing to the study of vertebrate speciation, particularly in birds, this work adds to limited data concerning avian phylogeography on Madagascar. The focus of most phylogeographic studies on Madagascar has been amphibians, reptiles, or mammals, with only four utilizing extensive population-level sampling in birds (Fuchs et al 2007(Fuchs et al , 2013Cruaud et al 2011;Goodman et al 2011). This study represents the densest and largest sampling yet presented for a Malagasy endemic bird and the first for a species within one of Madagascar's endemic avian radiations.…”

Phylogeography and systematics of the Malagasy rock‐thrushes (Muscicapidae, Monticola)

“…The avifauna of Madagascar, an island that has been isolated from continental landmasses for approximately 140 million years (de Wit 2003), holds a notably high percentage of endemic taxa, including several families and subfamilies of distinctly older radiations. Of the 285 bird species reported from the island, 210 are known to breed locally, and of these, 52% occur nowhere else in the world (Goodman & Hawkins 2008;Renoult 2009;Goodman et al 2011). The phylogenetic affinities, origins and colonization history of the older groups in particular have been examined with molecular markers (e.g.…”

“…Helbig & Seibold 1999;Groombridge et al 2002;Voelker 2002;Sheldon et al 2005), little attention has been devoted to the resolution of questions associated with the species limits of endemic birds, specifically phylogeographic studies (e.g. Goodman et al 2001Goodman et al , 2011Goodman & Weigt 2002;Fuchs et al 2007). As much of the conservation prioritization on Madagascar has been based on species distribution, with birds being amongst the targeted taxa (e.g.…”