[Ornithology • 2018] Macroevolutionary Patterning of Woodpecker Drums reveals How Sexual Selection Elaborates Signals Under Constraint

in Miles, Schuppe, Ligon & Fuxjager, 2018.

  DOI:  10.1098/rspb.2017.2628

 twitter.com/RSocPublishing 

Abstract

Sexual selection drives elaboration in animal displays used for competition and courtship, but this process is opposed by morphological constraints on signal design. How do interactions between selection and constraint shape display evolution? One possibility is that sexual selection continues exaggeration under constraint by operating differentially on each signal component in complex, modular displays. This is seldom studied on a phylogenetic scale, but we address the issue herein by studying macroevolutionary patterning of woodpecker drum displays. These territorial displays are produced when an individual rapidly hits its bill on a hard surface, and drums vary across species in the number of beats included (length) and the rate of drumbeat production (speed). We report that species body size limits drum speed, but not drum length. As a result of this biomechanical constraint, there is less standing variation in speed than length. We also uncover a positive relationship between sexual size dimorphism and the unconstrained trait (length), but with no effect on speed. This suggests that when morphology limits the exaggeration of one component, sexual selection instead exaggerates the unconstrained trait. Modular displays therefore provide the basis for selection to find novel routes to phenotypic elaboration after previous ones are closed.

KEYWORDS: sexual selection, animal behaviour, signal design, constraint 

Figure 1. Cladogram of the woodpeckers (family: Picidae) from Dufort et al. [2016]. At the tips, longer bars indicate species with longer drums. Bars are coloured by drum speed (beats s–1), with warm colours (green to red) indicating progressively faster drums than cool colours (blue-green to blue). Edge colors indicate the evolution of drumming determined from ER Mk1 ancestral state reconstruction (black, drum; orange, drum-like signal; blue, no drum or drum-like signal). Silhouettes are aligned near their corresponding tips, and drawn to-scale based on phylogenetic PCA of body size.

Meredith C. Miles, Eric R. Schuppe, R. Miller Ligon IV and Matthew J. Fuxjager. 2018. Macroevolutionary Patterning of Woodpecker Drums reveals How Sexual Selection Elaborates Signals Under Constraint. Proc. R. Soc. B. 285; 20172628. DOI:  10.1098/rspb.2017.2628

M. J. Dufort. 2016. An augmented supermatrix phylogeny of the avian family Picidae reveals uncertainty deep in the family tree. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 94, 313–326.   DOI:  10.1016/j.ympev.2015.08.025

The evolution of woodpecker drums @meredithcmiles @fuxjagerlab  ow.ly/Tbic30iCa6d  #openaccess #ProcB  

 twitter.com/RSocPublishing/status/968119770917888001

[Ornithology • 2017] Tapping the Woodpecker Tree for Evolutionary Insight

Shakya, Fuchs, Pons & Sheldon, 2017 

  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.09.005

Highlights

• We compared DNA sequences of six loci from 203 of the 217 recognized species to construct a comprehensive tree of intrafamilial relationships of woodpeckers and found numerous unknown relationships among clades and species.

• We discuss how convergence, mimicry, and potential cases of hybridization obscured woodpecker relationships for morphological taxonomists.

• We also used the tree to analyze rates of diversification and biogeographic patterns within the family.

Abstract

Molecular phylogenetic studies of woodpeckers (Picidae) have generally focused on relationships within specific clades or have sampled sparsely across the family. We compared DNA sequences of six loci from 203 of the 217 recognized species of woodpeckers to construct a comprehensive tree of intrafamilial relationships. We recovered many known, but also numerous unknown, relationships among clades and species. We found, for example, that the three picine tribes are related as follows (Picini, (Campephilini, Melanerpini)) and that the genus Dinopium is paraphyletic. We used the tree to analyze rates of diversification and biogeographic patterns within the family. Diversification rate increased on two occasions during woodpecker history. We also tested diversification rates between temperate and tropical species but found no significant difference. Biogeographic analysis supported an Old World origin of the family and identified at least six independent cases of New World-Old World sister relationships. In light of the tree, we discuss how convergence, mimicry, and potential cases of hybridization have complicated woodpecker taxonomy.

Keywords: biogeography; convergence; diversification rates; phylogeny; Picidae; rate-shifts

Subir B. Shakya, Jérôme Fuchs, Jean-Marc Pons and Frederick H. Sheldon. 2017. Tapping the Woodpecker Tree for Evolutionary Insight. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press.  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.09.005

New paper by #LSUMNS student Subir Shakya & Curator Fred Sheldon in MP&E. "Tapping the Woodpecker Tree for Evolutionary Insight" 

facebook.com/LSUMNS/posts/1664384803581333

[Ornithology • 2016] Phenotypic and Genetic Analysis support Distinct Species Status of the Red-backed Woodpecker (Lesser Sri Lanka Flameback: Dinopium psarodes) of Sri Lanka

FIGURE 2. Color variation of Dinopium flamebacks in Sri Lanka:
(A) crimson-red plumage (Dinopium psarodes) (image courtesy of V. Weeratunge), (B) reddish-orange form, (C) orange form,(D) orange-yellow form, (E) orange/reddish mantle, (F) golden-yellow plumage (Dinopium benghalense jaffnense) (image courtesy of V. Weeratunge), and
(G) variation of back color in Dinopium flamebacks in the national collection (image courtesy of the Department of National Museums, Sri Lanka).

Fernando, Irwin & Seneviratne. 2016.  DOI: 10.1642/AUK-15-233.1 

Abstract

Hybridization has challenged taxonomy, since hybridizing forms could be stable evolutionary entities or ephemeral forms that are blending together. The island of Sri Lanka has 2 subspecies of the flameback woodpecker D. benghalense: D. b. jaffnense in the north and D. b. psarodes in the south. Red plumage separates the endemic phenotype D. b. psarodes from other subspecies of D. benghalense. Despite these differences, intermediate phenotypes in north-central Sri Lanka discouraged the elevation of D. b. psarodes into a full species. The recent HBW and BirdLife International checklist, however, has elevated D. b. psarodes to a full species (D. psarodes), primarily based on its plumage. To objectively evaluate whether this taxonomic elevation is warranted, we examined the phenotypic and genetic affinities of D. psarodes within the D. benghalense cluster. In doing that we provide the first quantitative phenotypic and genetic analysis across a hybrid zone for an Old World woodpecker group. We sampled woodpeckers along a line transect across the island and measured body shape/size, plumage, and genetic variation in a mitochondrial gene (Cytb). Plumage color ranged from red in the south to yellow in the north, with varying proportions of orange in north-central Sri Lanka (an area of ~66 km). Morphology (body shape/ size) and plumage characters showed a clear separation. There are 2 mitochondrial haplotype groups, one in the north and one in the south. A mixture of north and south haplotypes were seen in north-central Sri Lanka. Width of the hybrid zone suggests that some form of selection limits the spread of hybrids into the range of parental forms. Morphological, plumage, and genetic traits are all indicative of limited hybridization in a narrow zone between the 2 taxa, supporting the treatment of D. psarodes as a distinct species. This study provides an illustrative example of extensive hybridization between stable taxonomic entities, discouraging the practice of merging hybridizing forms as single species.

 Keywords: Dinopium benghalense, island endemicity, flameback woodpeckers, hybridization, hybrid zone, speciation, Sri Lanka

 Saminda P. Fernando, Darren E. Irwin and Sampath S. Seneviratne. 2016. Phenotypic and Genetic Analysis support Distinct Species Status of the Red-backed Woodpecker (Lesser Sri Lanka Flameback: Dinopium psarodes) of Sri Lanka.
The Auk. 133(3); 497-511. DOI: 10.1642/AUK-15-233.1

ResearchGate.net/publication/304416655_Phenotypic_and_genetic_analysis_support_distinct_species_status_of_the_Red-backed_Woodpecker_Lesser_Sri_Lanka_Flameback_Dinopium_psarodes_of_Sri_Lanka

RESUMEN: La hibridación es desafiante para la taxonomía puesto que las formas que hibridan pueden ser entidades evolutivamente estables o formas efímeras que se están mezclando. La isla de Sri Lanka tiene dos subespecies de Dinopium benghalense; D. b. jaffnense en el norte y D. b. psarodes en el sur. El plumaje rojo separa el fenotipo endémico de D. b. psarodes del de otras subespecies de D. benghalense. A pesar de estas diferencias, la existencia de fenotipos intermedios en el centro-norte de Sri Lanka previno la elevación de D. b. psarodes al estatus de especie. Sin embargo, la lista más reciente del Handbook of Birds of the World y Birdlife International elevó a D. b. psarodes al rango de especie (D. psarodes) basándose principalmente en el plumaje. Para evaluar objetivamente si se justifica este cambio taxonómico, examinamos las afinidades genéticas y fenotípicas de D. psarodes en el grupo de D. benghalense. Al hacerlo, presentamos el primer análisis cuantitativo fenotípico y genético a través de una zona de hibridación de un carpintero del viejo mundo. Muestreamos carpinteros a lo largo de un transecto que atravesaba la isla y medimos el tamaño y la forma del cuerpo, el plumaje y la variación genética en un gen mitocondrial (Cytb). El color del plumaje varió de rojo en el sur a amarillo en el norte, con naranja en diferentes proporciones en el centro-norte de Sri Lanka (un área de ~66 km). Los caracteres morfológicos (tamaño y forma del cuerpo) y del plumaje mostraron una separación clara. Existen dos grupos de haplotipos mitocondriales, uno en el norte y otro en el sur. Se vio una mezcla de haplotipos del norte y del sur en el centro-norte de Sri Lanka. El ancho de la zona de hibridación sugiere que alguna forma de selección limita la dispersión de los híbridos hacia la zona de distribución de las formas parentales. Todos los rasgos morfológicos, genéticos y del plumaje indican que existe hibridación limitada entre los dos taxones en una zona estrecha, lo que apoya el estatus de especie de D. psarodes. Este estudio presenta un ejemplo ilustrativo de hibridación extensa entre entidades taxonómicas estables, lo que desaconseja la práctica de unir formas que hibridan en una sola especie.

Palabras clave: Dinopium benghalense, endémicos de islas, especiación, hibridación, Sri Lanka, zona híbrida

[Ornithology • 2014] First Record of the Nesting Biology of the Red-vented Barbet, Megalaima lagrandieri (Aves: Piciformes: Megalaimidae), an Indochinese endemic

Fig. 4. A, Parent Red-vented Barbet Megalaima lagrandieri on the nesting hole.
B–F, with different food items: B, lizard Bronchocela smaragdina; C, figs; D, fruit of Knema sp.;
E, bush cricket Zabalius sp.; and F, cicada.

Abstract

We report on the nesting biology of the red-vented barbet (Megalaima lagrandieri) in its natural habitat in Loc Bac forest (southern Vietnam, Lam Dong Province). Two active nests containing nestlings and one nest in the process of excavation were observed during 2012 and 2013. Both parents participated in the provisioning of their brood throughout the day, making a maximum of 52 daily visits with food. The nestlings’ diets consisted of fleshy fruits, insects and spiders as well as vertebrates. Plant matter was added to the nestlings’ diet from the initial days of feeding, and its proportion increased over time. We provide a first description of the red-vented barbet nesting hole and comment on the hardness of the wood. A description of the two-week-old nestlings is also provided.

Key words. Asian barbets, cavity nesting, Brinell’s test, frugivory, nestling period

Vitaly L. Trounov and Anna B. Vasilieva. 2014. First Record of the Nesting Biology of the Red-vented Barbet, Megalaima lagrandieri (Aves: Piciformes: Megalaimidae), an Indochinese endemic. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 62: 671–678

http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/zoology_volume_62/62rbz671-678.pdf

[BioGeography / Ornithology • 2013] On the Origin of Pantepui Montane Biotas: A Perspective Based on the Phylogeny of Aulacorhynchus toucanets

Tepui Toucanet or Whitely's toucanet Aulacorhynchus whitelianus

illustration: John Gerrard Keulemans
Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum. Volume 19 | en.wikipedia.org

ABSTRACT 

To understand the origin of Pantepui montane biotas, we studied the biogeography of toucanets in the genus Aulacorhynchus. These birds are ideal for analyzing historical relationships among Neotropical montane regions, given their geographic distribution from Mexico south to Bolivia, including northern Venezuela (Cordillera de la Costa), and the Pantepui. Analyses were based on molecular phylogenies using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Topology tests were applied to compare alternative hypotheses that may explain the current distribution of Aulacorhynchus toucanets, in the context of previous hypotheses of the origin of Pantepui montane biotas. Biogeographic reconstructions in RASP and Lagrange were used to estimate the ancestral area of the genus, and an analysis in BEAST was used to estimate a time framework for its diversification. A sister relationship between the Pantepui and Andes+Cordillera de la Costa was significantly more likely than topologies indicating other hypothesis for the origin of Pantepui populations. The Andes was inferred as the ancestral area for Aulacorhynchus, and the group has diversified since the late Miocene. The biogeographic patterns found herein, in which the Andes are the source for biotas of other regions, are consistent with those found for flowerpiercers and tanagers, and do not support the hypothesis of the geologically old Pantepui as a source of Neotropical montain diversity. Based on the high potential for cryptic speciation and isolation of Pantepui populations, we consider that phylogenetic studies of additional taxa are important from a conservation perspective.

Figure 1. Geographic distribution of species in Aulacorhynchus.
Subspecies in the Aulacorhynchus prasinus complex are shown as independent evolutionary units following Puebla-Olivares et al. and Bonaccorso et al.; taxonomy of South American species, other than A. prasinus, follows Remsen et al.

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067321.g001

Figure 3. Ancestral area reconstruction for species in the genus Aulacorhynchus.
Colors indicate geographic areas and combinations of up to two areas, and roman numerals indicate nodes of interest.
 A: Bayesian Binary MCMC Analysis in RASP; pie charts indicate the marginal probability of each area at nodes of interest; nodal support expressed as Bayesian posterior probabilities are showed above pie charts, with asterisks indicating Bayesian posterior probabilities = 1.00.
B: Dispersal-Extinction-Cladogenesis analysis in Lagrange; numbers above splits indicate their relative probability; for simplicity, only splits summing ≥70 relative probability are shown.

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067321.g003

 Elisa Bonaccorso and Juan M Guayasamin. 2013. On the Origin of Pantepui montane biotas: A Perspective Based on the Phylogeny of Aulacorhynchus toucanets. PLoS ONE. 8(6):e67321. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0067321 

researchgate.net/publication/248385863_On_the_Origin_of_Pantepui_montane_biotas_A_Perspective_Based_on_the_Phylogeny_of_Aulacorhynchus_toucanets