[Ornithology • 2018] Comprehensive Molecular Phylogeny of Barn Owls and Relatives (Family: Tytonidae), and Their Six Major Pleistocene Radiations

in Uva, Päckert, Cibois, et al., 2018. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.013 

Highlights

• Tytonidae originated in the Oligocene (ca. 28 mya) of Australasia.

• Tytonidae underwent six trans-continental radiations in the Pleistocene.

• Split of Tyto alba into three species (T. alba, T. furcata, T. javanica) is supported.

• T. rosenbergii and T. nigrobrunnea are subspecies of T. javanica; T. sororcula and T. manusi are subspecies of T. novaehollandiae.

• Grass owls and sooty owls are a single species each (T. capensis and T. tenebricosa).

Abstract

The owl family Tytonidae comprises two genera: Phodilus, limited to the forests of central Africa and South-East Asia, and the ubiquitous Tyto. The genus Tyto is majorly represented by the cosmopolitan Common Barn Owl group, with more than 30 subspecies worldwide. Discrete differences in body size and plumage colouration have led to the classification of this family into many species and subspecies, but the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships between taxa remain unclear, and in some groups controversial. Although several previous studies attempted to resolve this problem, they have been limited in their taxonomic and geographical coverage, or have relied on restricted molecular evidence and low sample sizes. Based on the most comprehensive sampling to date (16 out of 17 Tyto species, and one out of three Phodilus species), a multi-locus approach using seven mitochondrial and two nuclear markers, and taking advantage of field data and museum collections available worldwide, our main questions in this study were: (1) what are the phylogenetic relationships and classification status of the whole family; (2) when and where did the most important speciation events occur? We confirm that the Common Barn Owl, Tyto alba is divided into three main evolutionary units: the American Barn Owl, T. furcata; the Western Barn Owl, T. alba; and the Eastern Barn Owl, T. javanica, and suggest a Late Miocene (ca. 6 mya) Australasian and African origin of the group. Our results are supported by fossil age information, given that the most recent common ancestor between the Tytonidae genera Phodilus and Tyto was probably from the Oligocene (ca. 28 mya) of Australasia. We finally reveal six major Pleistocene radiations of Tyto, all resulting in wide-range distributions.

Keywords: Bird, Strigiformes, Molecular phylogenetics, Taxonomical classifications

  Vera Uva, Martin Päckert, Alice Cibois, Luca Fumagalli and Alexandre Roulin. 2018. Comprehensive Molecular Phylogeny of Barn Owls and Relatives (Family: Tytonidae), and Their Six Major Pleistocene Radiations. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.  125; 127-137.  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.013

[Ornithology • 2018] Athene blewitti • The Critically Endangered Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti is nested within the Currently Recognized Athene Clade: A Century-old Debate Addressed

Athene blewitti  (Hume, 1873)

in Koparde, Mehta, Reddy, et al., 2018.

 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192359 

Abstract

Range-restricted species generally have specific niche requirements and may often have unique evolutionary histories. Unfortunately, many of these species severely lack basic research, resulting in poor conservation strategies. The phylogenetic relationship of the Critically Endangered Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti has been the subject of a century-old debate. The current classifications based on non-phylogenetic comparisons of morphology place the small owls of Asia into three genera, namely, Athene, Glaucidium, and Heteroglaux. Based on morphological and anatomical data, H. blewitti has been alternatively hypothesized to belong within Athene, Glaucidium, or its own monotypic genus Heteroglaux. To test these competing hypotheses, we sequenced six loci (~4300 bp data) and performed phylogenetic analyses of owlets. Mitochondrial and nuclear trees were not congruent in their placement of H. blewitti. However, both mitochondrial and nuclear combined datasets showed strong statistical support with high maximum likelihood bootstrap (>/ = 90) and Bayesian posterior probability values (>/ = 0.98) for H. blewitti being nested in the currently recognized Athene group, but not sister to Indian A. brama. The divergence of H. blewitti from its sister taxa was between 4.3 and 5.7 Ma coinciding with a period of drastic climatic changes in the Indian subcontinent. This study presented the first genetic analysis of H. blewitti, a Critically Endangered species, and addressed the long debate on the relationships of the Athene-Heteroglaux-Glaucidium complex. We recommend further studies with more data and complete taxon sampling to understand the biogeography of Indian Athene species.

Athene (Heteroglaux) blewitti, Athene brama & Glaucidium radiatum

Fig 1. Co-distributed Indian owlets show plumage similarity, however can be identified based on size and markings on the chest and forehead.
Presence of white spots and brown bars in case of Athene brama and Glaucidium radiatum respectively are identification keys.

Photo credits: color banded H. blewitti individual by Prachi Mehta,
A. brama and G. radiatum by Pankaj Koparde.

Distribution of few Palearctic and Oriental owlets as per Birdlife International (2015).
H. blewitti is the only range-restricted, rare owlet among Indian owlets.

Pankaj Koparde, Prachi Mehta, Sushma Reddy, Uma Ramakrishnan, Shomita Mukherjee and V. V. Robin. 2018. The Critically Endangered Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti is nested within the Currently Recognized Athene clade: A Century-old Debate Addressed.  PLoS ONE. 13(2): e0192359. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192359

ResearchGate.net/publication/322942356_Heteroglaux_blewitti_nested_within_Athene_clade

facebook.com/PankajKoparde/posts/1630318547059062

[Ornithology • 2016] Ninox albifacies • Phylogenetic Relationships and Terrestrial Adaptations of the Extinct Laughing Owl, Sceloglaux albifacies (Aves: Strigidae)

Ninox albifacies [Sceloglaux a. albifacies] by John Gerrard Keulemans, drawn after living specimens owned by Walther Rothschild  wikipedia.org  

 DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12483

Abstract

The taxonomic affinities of the monotypic owl genus Sceloglaux Kaup, 1848 have been widely debated. Here, we present a high-coverage mitogenome for the sole member of the genus, New Zealand's extinct laughing owl (Sceloglaux albifacies Gray, 1845), and assess its phylogenetic relationships. Our results provide strong support for Sceloglaux being nested within Ninox Hodgson, 1837, as sister taxon to the clade containing the barking owl (Ninox connivens Latham, 1801), Sumba boobook (Ninox rudolfi Meyer, 1882), and morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae Gmelin, 1788). Accordingly, we synonymize Sceloglaux with Ninox, and recommend that the laughing owl hereafter be referred to as Ninox albifacies. Osteological analyses and a comparison of the wing and leg proportions of the laughing owl with those of other owls supports Gould's (1865) contention that it was largely a terrestrial owl, and predominantly caught prey on the ground. This is further supported by the relatively high abundance of terrestrial prey remains preserved in sediment deposits at former laughing owl nest sites.

Keywords: ancient DNA; birds; morphometrics; New Zealand; osteology; taxonomy

Conclusion

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA reveals that the New Zealand endemic laughing owl, formerly Sceloglaux albifacies, is nested within the genus Ninox. We therefore recommend that the laughing owl hereafter be referred to as Ninox albifacies. This result supports previous interpretations about the phylogenetic relationships of this taxon. A more complete molecular analysis, including all representatives of this diverse owl genus, is likely to provide interesting insights into the phylogeographic history of Ninox across the Asian and Australasian regions. Our morphometric and osteological analyses of N. albifacies identified a range of adaptations for a terrestrial lifestyle, but no loss of flight ability, suggesting that N. albifacies had adapted to occupy the niche of a large nocturnal predator of a predominantly ground-dwelling fauna.

Jamie R. Wood, Kieren J. Mitchell, R. Paul Scofield, Vanesa L. De Pietri, Nicolas J. Rawlence and Alan Cooper. 2016. Phylogenetic Relationships and Terrestrial Adaptations of the Extinct Laughing Owl, Sceloglaux albifacies (Aves: Strigidae).
 Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.  DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12483

[Ornithology • 2016] The Rediscovery of Strix butleri (Hume, 1878) in Oman and Iran, with Molecular Resolution of the Identity of Strix omanensis Robb, van den Berg & Constantine, 2013

Fig. 2. (c) Strix butleri after release, Mashhad, Iran, 23 January 2015 (Seyed Babak Musavi)  
 (b) Strix butleri captured at the type locality of ‘Strix omanensis’, Al Hajar range, Oman, 2 March 2015 (Magnus S. Robb & Alyn J. Walsh).

Abstract

Background: Most species of owls (Strigidae) represent cryptic species and their taxonomic study is in flux. In recent years, two new species of owls of the genus Strix have been described from the Arabian peninsula by different research teams. It has been suggested that one of these species, S. omanensis, is not a valid species but taxonomic comparisons have been hampered by the lack of specimens of S. omanensis, and the poor state of the holotype of S. butleri. 

Methods: Here we use new DNA sequence data to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of the S. butleri complex. We also report the capture of a single S. butleri in Mashhad, Iran. 

Results: A cytochrome b sequence of S. omanensis was found to be identical to that of the holotype of S. butleri, indicating that the name S. omanensis is best regarded as a junior synonym of S. butleri. The identity of the S. butleri captured in Mashhad, Iran, was confirmed using DNA sequence data. This represents a major (1,400 km) range extension of this species. 

Conclusions: The population discovered in Oman in 2013 and originally named ‘S. omanensis’ actually represents the rediscovery of S. butleri, which was known from a single specimen and had not been recorded since 1878. The range of S. butleri extends into northeast Iran. Our study augments the body of evidence for the recognition of S. butleri and S. hadorami as separate species and highlights the importance of using multiple evidence to study cryptic owl species.

Keywords: molecular identification, nomenclature, phylogenetics, Strigidae, Strix, taxonomy

Magnus S. Robb, George Sangster, Mansour Aliabadian, Arnoud B. van den Berg, Mark Constantine, Martin Irestedt, Ali Khani, Seyed Babak Musavi, João M. G. Nunes, Maïa Sarrouf Willson, Alyn J. Walsh. 2015. The Rediscovery of Strix butleri (Hume, 1878) in Oman and Iran, with Molecular Resolution of the Identity of Strix omanensis Robb, van den Berg and Constantine, 2013. BioRxiv. doi: 10.1101/025122
researchgate.net/publication/301676130_The_rediscovery_of_Strix_butleri_Hume_1878_in_Oman_and_Iran_with_molecular_resolution_of_the_identity_of_Strix_omanensis_Robb_van_den_Berg_and_Constantine_2013

http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2015/08/20/025122

Omani Owl species status confirmed with radical range increase

http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/channel/newsitem.asp?c=11&cate=__16052

[Ornithology • 2015] First Investigation on the Diet of the Eastern Grass Owl Tyto longimembris During the Nesting Period in Thailand

upper: Grass Owl Tyto longimembris longimembris - Chicks in nest

photo:  Akalak Kunsorn | orientalbirdimages.org

lower: Different sizes of pellets and prey’s skulls of eastern grass owl.

Abstract

 The eastern grass owl Tyto longimembris (นกแสกทุ่งหญ้า) was first detected in Thailand in July 2006 at Nong Lom, a grassland in open peat swamp located in the south part of Nong Bong Khai Non-hunting Area, Chiang Rai. Here, it is considered to be a rare resident. At this site, we studied the diet of eastern grass owl by analysing regurgitated pellets collected at their nests during the breeding season from December 2010 to February 2011. We collected 67 pellets from five nests and identified 33 mammal skulls. To identify prey species, DNA was extracted from skulls and was analysed based on molecular techniques. The dietary remains consisted of three murids (Muridae), with the house rat Rattus rattus the dominant species detected (16 skulls, 48.5 % occurrence), and the remainder being Asian house mouse Mus musculus (13 skulls, 39.4%) and ricefield mouse Mus caroli (4 skulls, 12.1%). 

Key words: eastern grass owl, diet, pellet, nocturnal raptor

Akalak Kunsorn, Siriwadee Chomdej, Narit Sitasuwan, Prasit Wangpakapattawong,Chatmongkon Suwannapoom and Brett K. Sandercock. 2015. First Investigation on the Diet of the Eastern Grass Owl During the Nesting Period in Thailand.  Raffles. Bull. Zool. 63: 27–32. 

http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/rbzvolume63/63rbz027-032.pdf

Kasorndorkbua, C., Kunsorn, A. & Wongchai, C. 2008. Nesting records of eastern grass owl Tyto (capensis) longimembris in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand. BirdingASIA. 9: 91–93.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242424640_Nesting_records_of_Eastern_Grass_Owl_Tyto_(capensis)_longimembris_in_Chiang_Rai_northern_Thailand