The niche and phylogeography of a passerine reveal the history of biological diversification between the Andean and the Atlantic forests

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest is separated from the Andean tropical forest by dry and open vegetation biomes (Chaco and Cerrado). Despite this isolation, both rainforests share closely related lineages, which suggest a past connection. This connection could have been important for forest taxa evolution. In this study, we used the Saffron-billed Sparrow (Arremon flavirostris) as a model to evaluate whether the Andean and the Atlantic forests act as a refugia system, as well as to test for a history of biogeographic connection between them. In addition, we evaluated the molecular systematic of intraspecific lineages of the studied species. We modeled the current and past distribution of A. flavirostris, performed phylogeographic analyses based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes, and used Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) analyses to test for biogeographic scenarios. The major phylogeographic disjunction within A. flavirostris was found between the Andean and the Atlantic forests, with a divergence that occurred during the Mid-Pleistocene. Our paleodistribution models indicated a connection between these forest domains in different periods and through both the Chaco and Cerrado. Additionally, the phylogeographic and ABC analyses supported that the Cerrado was the main route of connection between these rainforests, but without giving decisive evidence against a Chaco connection. Our study with A. flavirostris suggest that the biodiversity of the Andean and of the Atlantic forests could have been impacted (and perhaps enriched?) by cycles of connections through the Cerrado and Chaco. This recurrent cycle of connection between the Andean and the Atlantic Forest could have been important for the evolution of Neotropical forest taxa. In addition, we discussed taxonomic implications of the results and proposed to split the studied taxon into two full species.

Contrasting evolutionary histories in Neotropical birds: Divergence across an environmental barrier in South America

“…Few studies have explored the well‐known common pattern of avian taxa disjunctly codistributed in these South American forests. Furthermore, most previous analyses have assessed closely related lineages or species complexes (Batalha‐Filho, Irestedt et al, ; Ribas, Miyaki, & Cracraft, ; Weir & Price, ), while comprehensive evolutionary studies below the species level are still rare and have been mostly focused on a single taxon (Harvey & Brumfield, ; Lavinia et al, ; Trujillo‐Arias et al, ). Here, we studied the large‐headed flatbill ( Ramphotrigon megacephalum ) and the fawn‐breasted tanager ( Pipraeidea melanonota ), two passerines with allopatric populations east and west of the OVC (Figure ).…”

Assessment of Potential Health and Genetic Impacts in Releasing ConfiscatedParoaria coronataandSaltator similis

“…Compared to other passerines more associated with the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and other associated humid forests, S. similis revealed a high diversity both in the Pampa as well as in the Atlantic Forest regions. Considering studies that used mtDNA coding genes only [88–95], S. similis from the Atlantic Forest had the highest value for a forest-associated species (only lower than P. coronata from the Chaco/Pantanal), while the Pampa population had the fifth highest value. Haplotype diversity values for both populations are also among the highest for passerines associated with the Atlantic Forest [88–95].…”

“…Considering studies that used mtDNA coding genes only [88–95], S. similis from the Atlantic Forest had the highest value for a forest-associated species (only lower than P. coronata from the Chaco/Pantanal), while the Pampa population had the fifth highest value. Haplotype diversity values for both populations are also among the highest for passerines associated with the Atlantic Forest [88–95]. The exclusive signal of an ancient population expansion for S. similis in the Atlantic Forest region but not in the Pampa is curious.…”

Mesoamerica is a cradle and the Atlantic Forest is a museum of Neotropical butterfly diversity: Insights from the evolution and biogeography of Brassolini (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

“…In the case of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, Miocene expansions of wet forests into Amazonia through the dry diagonal might have been determinants of ancient butterfly diversity. Forest connections have been documented mainly for the Quaternary Period based on palynological data and phylogeographic studies at the population level (e.g., Werneck 2011, Prates et al 2016, Trujillo-Arias et al 2017, and references therein). Although evidence of Neogene connection between the Atlantic Forest and Amazonia is still scarce, this study suggests that Miocene dispersal rates between these wet forest biomes were higher than in the Plio-Pleistocene.…”

“…However, it is not clear whether endemic diversity to the Atlantic Forest arose by recent, fast diversification in the Pleistocene (cradle of diversity) or by gradual accumulation of species with old and constant in situ speciation (museum of diversity). The onset of the global cooling at ∼10 to 15 Ma likely drove the expansion of open environments between Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest (Simon et al 2009). Apparently, intermittent forest expansions into the dry diagonal occurred throughout the Neogene and Pleistocene (Werneck 2011, Trujillo-Arias et al 2017), and Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest might have repeatedly been in contact (Ledo and Colli 2017, Capurucho et al 2018). Biotic interchange from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest toward the dry diagonal might have been a geologically more recent event, since at least 5 Ma (Costa 2003, Batalha-Filho et al 2013, Thomé et al 2016).…”