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AOU/COS Meeting: Chicago, IL, Aug 2013 (1 Viewer)

Richard Klim

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The Abstract Book has been published on the Meeting Website.

Symposium sessions include...

s1.2: Cracraft, Sanin, Claramunt & Smith. The assembly of the North American avifauna: theory, method, and empirical approaches.

s1.3 Smith & Cracraft. Large-scale biogeography of the North American avifauna.

s1.4: Smith. Assembly of the pelagic avifauna of North America: including insights gleaned from the fossil record of the Pan-Alcidae.

s1.5: Oswald & Steadman. Historical diversity and extinction of New World passerines: evidence from Pleistocene fossils.

s1.6: Barker. It matters how you slice it: a new molecular perspective on the timing and success of interhemispheric dispersal in oscine passerine birds.

s1.7: Winger & Ree. Geographic range evolution and diversification in migratory North American birds. [Emberizoidea]

s1.8: Rabosky, Winger, Lovette, Barker, Burns, Klicka & Lanyon. The temporal and spatial dynamics of speciation during the New World nine-primaried oscine radiation.

s1.9: Weir. Latitudinal gradients in time to reproductive isolation of New World birds.

s1.10: Ksepcka, Grande & Clarke. Advances in the understanding of Early Cenozoic avian evolution from the Green River avifauna.

s1.11: Mitchell. Ecological diversity of the 52-million year old Green River birds.

s5.7: Friedman, Lutrell & Omland. Rates of carotenoid plumage evolution in passerine birds: Is there an intrinsic bias towards red? [Emberizoidea]

s6.1: Reddy & Marks. Introduction to Symposium. How well do we know the Old World tropics?

s6.2: Bowie. The scramble for Africa’s montane highlands: patterns of colonization and diversification. [Nectariniidae, Pycnonotidae]

s6.3: Block, Hackett, Bates, Goodman & Raherilalao. Explosive or non-explosive adaptive radiation? Cryptic diversity alters diversification rate estimates for the Bernieridae, a Malagasy passerine radiation.

s6.4: Price & Mohan. Causes of the mid-elevation peak in east Himalayan songbird diversity.

s6.5: Sorenson, DaCosta, Stryjewski, Balakrishnan & Spottiswoode. Contrasting patterns of divergence and diversification in African brood parasites.

s6.6: Bates, Engel & Kahindo. Assembly of an African continental montane avifauna: an assessment of the Albertine Rift avifauna.

s6.7: Kimball & Braun. Patterns of diversification in the Phasianidae.

s6.8: Moyle, Hosner & Oliveros. Insights into the origins and diversification of the Philippine avifauna.

s6.9: Voelker & Bowie. Diversification in an Afro-Asian songbird clade reveals multiple trans-oceanic dispersals and a southern to northern colonization pattern in Africa. [Copsychini]

s6.10: Robin, Gupta, Vishnudas & Ramakrishnan. Comparative phylogeography of the entire understory bird community in the Western Ghats (India) sky islands reveals differential impacts of island structure on population structure.

s6.11: Kirschel, Gonzalez & Moyle. A molecular phylogeny of Pogoniulus tinkerbirds contradicts current taxonomy based on morphology and plumage.

s6.12: Fjeldså. The early expansion of songbirds (Oscines) in Asia and Africa.

s10.1: Webster. Ornithological Specimens in the 21st Century.

s10.4: Bostwick. The integrated evolution of behavioral and morphological novelties in manakins (Pipridae) as revealed by digital and physical natural history specimens.

s10.5: Mason, Burns & Shultz. Combining museum and media collections to study multimodal sexual signaling and acoustic adaptations in tanagers (Thraupidae).

s10.6: Derryberry, Seddon, Claramunt, Brumfield & Tobias. Of songs and specimens: using vouchered behaviors to examine song evolution in avian radiations. [Furnariidae]

s10.8: McCormack, Tsai & Faircloth. Prospects for using target enrichment and next-generation sequencing to collect thousands of DNA loci from museum specimens.

s10.9: Wright, Gregory & Witt. Flight ability drives genome size reduction in birds.

s10.12: Winkler, Orzechowski, Pegan, Chalkowski, Stager, Kapoor, Hruska, Greg & Hite. Collecting the total specimen package: research and educational opportunities for museum expeditions.
 
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General papers

49: Oliveros, Fuchs, Pons, Sweet, Miranda & Moyle. A molecular phylogeny of Old World scops owls (Otus, Strigidae).

50: Piacentini & Silveira. Rivers are not barriers: a taxonomic review of the Phaethornis ruber-stuarti group (Apodiformes: Trochilidae) suggest alternative promoters of speciation.

51: Vaidya, Lepage, Lapp & Guralnick. Quantifying taxonomic redescription: patterns of lumping and splitting in the last 127 years of the Check-List of North American Birds.

52: Johnson, Price & Pruett-Jones. Different modes of evolution in males and females generate dichromatism in fairy-wrens (Maluridae).

53: Price & Eaton. Evolution of female traits drives sexual dimorphism in New World blackbirds.

54: Shultz, Baker, Hill, Nolan & Edwards. Phylogeography and signatures of pathogen-mediated selection using genome-wide diachronic comparisons in the House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus).

65: James & Spitzer. How many species of Hawaiian birds?

67: Greig, Baldassarre & Webster. Subspecies discriminate against foreign song but not plumage: Red-backed Fairy-Wrens attack feathered mounts of many colors.

68: Baldassarre & Webster. Experimental evidence of asymmetrical introgression of a sexual trait via extra-pair mating. [Malurus melanocephalus]

69: Curry & Patten. Sexual and natural selection on song across the temporally complex hybrid zone of Tufted and Black-crested Titmice (Paridae).

70: Carling & Parchman. Introgression on a genomic scale: using next-generation sequencing to investigate hybridization between Passerina amoena and Passerina cyanea.

71: Curry, Low & McKenna. Variation in a chromatic plumage brightness associated with hybridization between Black-capped and Carolina chickadees.

72: Jiménez, Ornelas & Cicero. Molecular analysis and ecological niche modeling reveal that Blue-tailed Hummingbird might be the result of hybrid speciation.

73: Megna, Moncrieff, Hayward & Henson. Equal reproductive success of phenotypes in the Larus glaucescens-occidentalis complex.

80: Ruiz-Sánchez, Rojas-Soto & Renton. Subspecies and seasonal ecological niche variations of Wilson’s Warbler.

84: Lim & Sheldon. Next-generation data illuminate diverse phylogeographic patterns in complex Southeast Asia.

92: Chavez, Galen, Projecto-Garcia, Storz & Witt. Evidence for high altitude adaptation in Andean House Wrens.

93: Gawin & Sheldon. Divergence among selected populations of Mountain Blackeye (Chlorocharisemiliae) in Borneo: estimating divergence times and substitution rates from mitochondrial genes.

94: Savit & Bates. Nuclear and mitochondrial data illustrate the influence of habitat on intraspecific diversificationin Tangara tanagers.

95: Seeholzer, Claramunt & Brumfield. Testing alternative models for the evolution of the climatic niche in a South American radiation, the Furnariidae.

96: Venkatraman & McCormack. Allopatric speciation in an endemic cloud forest bird, the Unicolored Jay.

100: Sosa-Lopez & Mennill. Song divergence in island and mainland House Wrens populations.

106: Schmitt, McNew, Montaño, VargasCampos, Valqui & Witt. Color polymorphism and adaptation in the Vermilion Flycatcher.

108: Bravo, Isler & Brumfield. Testing the role of time and environmental heterogeneity in driving the diversification of the antbirds (Aves: Thamnophilidae).

135: Galla & Johnson. Acknowledging life history strategy in the choice of molecular marker for resolving phylogenetic relationships among recently divergent taxa. [Tympanuchus]

136: Benz. Deciphering the evolutionary history of the montane New Guinea avifauna: comparative phylogeography and insights from paleodistributional modeling in a dynamic landscape.

137: Barrowclough, Groth, Lai & Tsang. Phylogenetic relationships of the endemic genera of Australo-Papuan hawks.

138: Braun, Burleigh & Kimball. "Big Bird" – inferences based upon analyses of a large-scale supermatrix of avian genetic data.

139: Burns, Shultz, Title & Mason. Diversification of tanagers (Thraupidae), the largest radiation of Neotropical songbirds.

140: Catanach & Johnson. Insights into the phylogeny of diurnal raptors from their feather lice.

141: Chesser, Isler, Martin, Naka, Bravo, Aleixo, Bergner & Whitney. Phylogeography of the Amazonian antwren Myrmotherula brachyura, with comparisons to co-distributed understory antwrens.

142: Andersen & Moyle. Phylogenomics and hybridization in an oceanic archipelago: high-throughput sequencing resolves patterns of diversification in the Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis).

143: Hosner, Oliveros & Moyle. Resolving the complex evolutionary history of a Philippine passerine: insights from thousands of anonymous nuclear loci. [=142]

144: Harvey, Smith, Faircloth, Glenn, McCormack & Brumfield. Information content of genomic ultraconserved elements for avian phylogenetics and phylogeography.

151: Klicka, Burns & Kus. Phylogeography and conservation genetics in the morphologically variable Bell’s Vireo.

152: Lee, Patane, Bates, Aleixo & Weckstein. Comparative phylogeographic history of the Channel-billed and White-throated Toucans.

153: Manthey & Spellman. A genomic perspective on the phylogeography of the Brown Creeper.

154: McKay, Mays, Wan, Yao & Nishiumi. Integrative taxonomy and evolutionary history of the Varied Tit (Poecile varius).

155: Saucier, Sánchez & Carling. Characterizing the morphological and genetic variation in the Plain Wren complex – with insights into biogeographic mechanisms of divergence in southern Central America.

156: Vazquez-Miranda. The phylogeographic power of sex at the species-level boundary: a multilocus study of wrens and thrashers.

159: Delmore & Irwin. Hybrid songbirds employ intermediate routes in a migratory divide. [Catharus ustulatus]

176: Heins & Smith. Use of skeletal morphometrics and phylogenetic relationships in predicting body mass in the diverse "waterbird" assemblage.

177: Kerr & Baker. Readdressing the phylogeny of the waterbirds using exonic markers.

178: Langin, Sillett, Morrison & Ghalambor. Linkage between bill morphology and vocalization structure in Island Scrub-Jays: A driver of adaptive divergence in sympatry?

179: Maddox & Wootton. Allen’s Rule and bird bills: an intraspecific approach using House Sparrows.

181: Olsen & Westneat. Duck, duck, goose: multiple origins of geese from a duck-like ancestor.

184: Crouch, Ricklefs & Bierregaard. Multivariate specialism and diversification in birds.

186: Greenberg & Danner. Climate, ecological release, and bill dimorphism in an island songbird. [Melospiza melodia]

190: Wogan, Voelker & Bowie. Phylogeography and landscape genetics of the Cape Robin Chat (Cossypha caffra).
 
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Very interesting abstracts. Thank you, Richard.

What engaged me most:

s6.11 Kirschel, Gonzalez, Moyle
A molecular phylogeny of Pogoniulus tinkerbirds contradicts current taxonomy based on morphology and plumage.
As in many birds, species limits in Pogoniulus tinkerbirds appear to have been based on
morphological differences and plumage traits, particularly with respect to allopatric populations. We present a molecular phylogeny of Pogoniulus tinkerbirds that sheds light on the evolutionary history of the genus. It suggests several cryptic species exist, with patterns contrasting starkly with current taxonomy. Certain morphological and plumage traits in particular do not reflect phylogenetic relationships, both within and among current species limits. Most notably, Pogoniulus chrysoconus is paraphyletic with respect to P. pusillus, with the two disjunct distributions of the latter likely representing distinct species themselves. P. bilineatus and P. leucolaimus should be reinstated to good species with one caveat, P. bilineatus jacksoni with a golden rump, is actually nested within P. leucolaimus. We also present the results of phylogenetic analyses of P. makawai, known from a single specimen. We discuss the molecular phylogeny in the context of phenotypic variation in plumage, morphology and song, and focus on the importance of the East African rift in delineating species boundaries.

49 Oliveros, Fuchs, Pons, Sweet, Miranda, Moyle
A molecular phylogeny of Old World scops owls (Otus, Strigidae).
Scops owls (genus Otus) are one of the most diverse lineages of owls that occur throughout the Old World. Previous molecular work elucidating relationships in the group have focused on taxa within smaller subsets of its geographic range. In this study we estimate phylogenetic relationships among Old World scops owls using the most comprehensive sampling of taxa in the group. DNA sequence data from three mitochondrial genes and two nuclear introns are used to estimate phylogenetic relationships among 40 out of 49 recognized species of Otus and the monotypic genus Pyrroglaux. We recover three small early-diverging lineages in this group and one large clade that includes the vast majority of species. This large clade in turn is divided into two clades: one containing mostly lowland scops-owls inhabiting large landmasses and the other consisting of a mixture of continental and insular forms. The genus Pyrroglaux,
whose affinities have long been uncertain, is embedded within the Otus radiation. We find little genetic divergence between O. lempiji and O. lettia despite vocal differences between the two taxa. The subspecies O. lettia ussuriensis is better placed with O. semitorques based on genetic, vocal and morphological grounds. Short internodes at the base of the topology of the clade of insular taxa from the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia suggests a rapid diversification in this group.
 
Poster presentations

325: Carmi, Witt, Jaramillo & Dumbacher. Phylogeography of the Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae).

326: Chua, Phillipps, Moyle & Sheldon. Biogeography and taxonomy of birds of Maratua Island, Borneo.

339: Espinosa-Garrido, Méndez-Aranda, Gordillo-Martínez, Ríos-Muñoz & Navarro-Sigüenza. A geographic and historical analysis of bird diversity in Mesoamerica.

342: Ferraroni & Silveira. Morphological data do not support the Saõ Francisco River as a geographical barrier for Aratinga cactorum (Aves: Psittacidae).

348: Gaffney, Carling & Cheviron. Geographic extent of hybridization between Black-capped and Mountain Chickadees.

352: Gowen, Cicero, Peterson & McCormack. Genetic structure in Western Scrub-Jays based on nuclear markers.

355: Gutierrez-Pinto, McCracken, Alza, Tubaro, Kopuchian, Astie & Cadena. Testing adaptive hypotheses at a continental level: phylogeography, hemoglobins and morphology of Torrent Ducks.

374: Kreun, Manthey, Klicka & Spellman. Comparative genomics of Pleistocene divergence.

375: Krilow & Iwaniuk. A morphometric analysis of wing shape variation among grouse (Aves: Galliformes).

382: Lozano-Jaramillo, McCracken, Alza & Cadena. Combining phylogeography and the geography of adaptation to understand population history: Ruddy Ducks in the New World.

387: Malloy, Bahmani, Jacobsen, Gobbert & Omland. How well do species tree methods deal with gene flow? The case of mitochondrial introgression in the Northern Oriole complex.

390: Mauck, Hosner, Moyle & Cracraft. Origin and biogeographic history of the family Trogonidae.

401: Omland, Webb, Marzuff & Johnson. Deep mitochondrial divergence within Common Ravens: speciation in reverse in the western US and Canada?

404: Phillips Sanche & Patricell. What does Gloger's Rule describe? A comparison of climatic factors and coloration in the Song Sparrow.

410: Rheindt, Fujita, Wilton & Edwards. Introgression and phenotypic assimilation in Zimmerius flycatchers (Tyrannidae): population genetic and phylogenetic inferences from genome-wide SNPs.

414: Sanin, Shearer & Cracraft. Comparative phylogeography of three genera of Birds of Paradise (Paradisaeidae) across the highlands of New Guinea.

416: Sardell & Uy. Confirmation and characterization of a recently-established hybrid zone between Melanesian honeyeaters (genus Myzomela).

441: Walsh & Kovach. Developing a genetic hybrid index for Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sparrows.

448: Wright, Curr & Nelson. Innate preferences for conspecific song in two closely related chickadee species: potential consequences for hybridization.
 
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I've tried to quickly highlight items of potential systematic/taxonomic interest, but I've probably overlooked some, and I haven't yet had time to actually read the abstracts.

As per Peter's post, highlighting of any interesting conclusions would be very welcome...
 
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I am interested in the Vermilion Flycatcher abstract, do they actually propose a split?

Niels
 
Vermilion Flycatcher

I am interested in the Vermilion Flycatcher abstract, do they actually propose a split?

Niels

325 Carmi, Witt, Jaramillo, Dumbacher
Phylogeography of the Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae).
ORE CARMI, California Acad. Sci., San Francisco, CA, CHRISTOPHER C. WITT, Mus. Southwest. Biol., Albuquerque, NM, ALVARO JARAMILLO, San Francisco Bay Bird Observ., Milpitas, CA, and JOHN P. DUMBACHER, California Acad. Sci.
The 13 recognized subspecies of the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) vary in degree of geographic isolation and phenotypic distinctness. Some authors suggest that subspecies nanus and dubius from the Galapagos constitute one or more separate species. To evaluate subspecies and species hypotheses, we carried out a molecular phylogenetic analysis of 10 of the 13 subspecies and 3 outgroups using preserved tissues when available, and toe pad samples for the Galapagos populations and one North American subspecies. We sequenced 2 mitochondrial loci (ND2, CytB) and 2 nuclear loci (ODC introns 6-7, beta-Fibrinogen intron 5). A most likely phylogenetic tree of mitochondrial alleles recovered 6 monophyletic clades with strong support and a seventh with mixed support. Nuclear data supported some of these clades. Two broadly intergrading North American subspecies were not genetically distinct from each other, suggesting they should not be recognized as separate taxa. Four western South American subspecies were not genetically distinct from each other, but occur in a region with patchy habitat, suggesting they are recently isolated populations. Mitochondrial genetic distance, partial nuclear data, body size and plumage color suggest that elevation of Galapagos birds to one or more species is merited. Two strongly-supported mitochondrial clades were recovered within Galapagos subspecies nanus, dividing the form geographically in a way that conflicts with previous authors’ hypotheses based on plumage color. Galapagos populations are in decline, with subspecies dubius now presumed extinct. Conservation measures should take into account the deep mitochondrial division within nanus.
 
Reddish Hermit

50: Piacentini & Silveira. Rivers are not barriers: a taxonomic review of the Phaethornis ruber-stuarti group (Apodiformes: Trochilidae) suggest alternative promoters of speciation.
Abstract:
The Phaethornis ruber-stuarti group comprises up to 6 taxa of South American hummingbirds inhabiting cis-Andean tropical forests and whose taxonomy, distribution and nomenclature has been debated for over two centuries. We aimed to review the taxonomy of the group and compare the distribution of its taxa to biogeographic patterns described for South America. We analyzed 755 skins housed in 28 collections worldwide. Based on color of the tail and the back, width of the pectoral band, and morphometric data we found 5 fully diagnosable taxa that deserve species status: P. nigricinctus (Colombia, sw. Venezuela, Peru and nw. Brazil), P. ruber (se. Venezuela, Guiana, w.W Suriname and n. Brazil), P. pygmaeus (e. Surinam, French Guiana, e and central Brazil, and Bolivia), P. longipennis (s. Peru), and P. stuarti (n. Bolivia). The name ruber Linnaeus, traditionally applied to the populations of French Guiana and e. Brazil, instead apply to the taxon of Venezuela, British Guiana, Surinam and n. Brazil. Each species is in contact with at least one other species of the group, with the contact zones qualifying as sympatry without hybridization (nigricintus x ruber), sympatry with restricted hybridization (ruber x pygmaeus, pygmaeus x stuarti) or parapatry with restricted hybridization (stuarti x longipennis). Large rivers such as the Amazon, Negro, Marañon, Madeira, Tapajós, Tocantins-Araguaia and São Francisco – which commonly separate related fauna, including other Phaethornis species – do not act as barriers to the ruber-stuarti group. This suggests that ecological factors and/or sexual selection may have important roles in the speciation and range delimitation of the species within the Phaethornis ruber-stuarti group.
Hinkelmann 1999 (HBW 5):
 
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Wilson's Warbler

80: Ruiz-Sánchez, Rojas-Soto & Renton. Subspecies and seasonal ecological niche variations of Wilson’s Warbler.
Abstract:
Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) is a Neotropical migrant considered in 3 subspecies: C. p. pusilla that breeds in east North America and C. p. pileolata and C. p. chryseola that breed in west North America. Previous genetic analyses suggest that this two allopatric subspecies groups may be cryptic species. In the present study we evaluate whether the ecological niches of the two geographic groups differ more than expected by chance, using a background ENMtools test and a novel analysis of the distances of the species records to its ecological niche centroid. We also analyzed seasonal variation of the ecological niche for summer and winter distributions. We found that C. p. pusilla and the C. p. pileolata/chryseola group present niche switching, meaning that they utilize different climatic regimens in summer and winter distributions. The seasonal analysis also enabled us to determine two potential geographic and ecological routes that the two subspecies groups follow during the months of spring and autumn migration. Our findings demonstrate that there are ecological niche differences between C. p. pusilla and C. p. pileolata/chryseola, supporting the cryptic species theory. These differences in ecological niche may provide insights to the geographically differentiated population decline shown by the species in the past four decades.
Curson 2010 (HBW 15).

[See also: Wilsonia pusilla.]
 
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Unicolored Jay

96: Venkatraman & McCormack. Allopatric speciation in an endemic cloud forest bird, the Unicolored Jay.
Abstract:
Delimiting species and understanding divergence mechanisms when species are in allopatry is difficult because common determinants of speciation like reproductive isolation and assortative mating are not useful. In this study we produce a portrait of speciation in the Unicolored Jay (Aphelocoma unicolor), an endemic Middle American cloud forest bird with 5 distinct subspecies, by studying multiple dimensions of divergence in phenotype, genetics, and the niche. Through multivariate trait analyses we determined that Unicolored Jay subspecies are diagnosable units in both morphological traits and plumage characteristics. Guided by pre-existing genetic data, we tested for ecological niche divergence and conservatism and found a trend of increasing niche divergence deeper in the phylogeny, with monophyletic lineages on either side of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec showing strong niche divergence. This suggests that vicariant speciation played a predominant role in incipient speciation, whereas ecological niches diverged later, after geographical separation. We found significant correlations between some phenotypic traits and niche characteristics: wing to tail ratio, adjusted bill size and bill shape were all correlated to percent tree cover. This suggests an ecological basis for morphological divergence, although causation cannot be rigorously tested without experimental studies. Based on our findings of phenotypic and niche divergence, and prior work showing genetic divergence, we suggest splitting the lineages north and south of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec into separate species [ie A (u) concolor, A (u) unicolor]. By delimiting a new Mexican endemic species with a modest and fragmented range, our results highlight the importance of conserving Middle American’s threatened cloud forest habitat.
[McCormack et al 2011 suggested A (u) concolor, A (u) oaxacae, A (u) unicolor, A (u) griscomi.]

Marzluff 2009 (HBW 14).
 
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House Wren

100: Sosa-Lopez & Mennill. Song divergence in island and mainland House Wrens populations.
Abstract:
By understanding patterns of variation in bird song, it is possible to assess differences between populations and gain insight into groups whose taxonomic status is poorly understood. The House Wren complex (genus: Troglodytes) is one such group that presents extensive taxonomic controversy. Based on morphological traits and geographic distributions, research suggests that many independent evolutionary units comprise this species complex. Although House Wren songs are also known to vary extensively, no study has been undertaken to explore the vocal differences between populations. In the first part of this study, we assessed the variation in the fine structural characteristics of the songs of the House Wren complex at 3 different spatial scales. We compared songs among the 5 principal forms (aedon, musculus, brunneicollis, beani, and martinicensis); among the 4 recognized North American subspecies (T. a. aedon, T. a. parkmanii, T. a. cahonii, and T. a. brunneicollis); and among the 2 Caribbean forms and their two closest mainland counterparts (beani, martinicensis, T. a. intermedius, and T. a. albicans). In the second part, we assessed the vocal divergence between taxonomically conflicting populations and compared them with currently recognized Troglodytes species (T. hiemalis, T. pacificus, T. tanneri, T. sissonii, and T. rufociliatus). After widely sampling House Wren songs from throughout the Americas (n = 758), we carried out a series of discriminant function analyses. Our results showed that all groups examined have significantly divergent songs. Our vocal divergence analysis showed that the divergence between at least 4 differentiated acoustic forms were similar to, and in some instances stronger than, the divergence shown between pairs of currently recognized species. Our study identifies several differentiated vocal groups that may result in new species-level upon further taxonomic analysis. The high degree of divergence between groups in a sexually selected trait suggests that such differentiation may arise due to independent historical processes and probably maintained by isolation, drift and/or selection.
 
Pygmy Antwren

141: Chesser, Isler, Martin, Naka, Bravo, Aleixo, Bergner & Whitney. Phylogeography of the Amazonian antwren Myrmotherula brachyura, with comparisons to co-distributed understory antwrens.
Abstract:
We studied the phylogeography of the Pygmy Antwren Myrmotherula brachyura, a monotypic pan-Amazonian species that inhabits rainforest canopy and subcanopy, using samples of 70 individuals collected throughout its distribution. Despite the lack of morphological variation, analysis of sequences of two mtDNA genes (ND2 and cytochrome-b) revealed 6 geographically coherent clades separated by at least 1.5% sequence divergence. Range limits of clades were consistent with river-delimitation, although divergence across most major rivers (e.g., Amazon, Tapajós, Madeira) was lower in M. brachyura than in congeneric and co-distributed understory species M. longipennis and M. menetriesii. Preliminary analysis of vocalizations identified vocal groups corresponding to most of the genetic clades, and suggests that there are multiple biological species, as well as phylogenetic species, within M. brachyura.
Zimmer & Isler 2003 (HBW 8).
 
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Bell's Vireo

151: Klicka, Burns & Kus. Phylogeography and conservation genetics in the morphologically variable Bell’s Vireo.
Abstract:
The Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii) is a widespread species of North American bird consisting of 4 subspecies (V. b. pusillus, V. b. medius, V. b. bellii, and V. b. arizonae) breeding from central Mexico to the central and sw. US. Subspecies were delimited in the late 1800s and early 1900s on the basis of plumage variation. The subspecies V. b. pusillus is federally endangered, and the other 3 are listed by Partners in Flight as birds of conservation concern. This is the first study to examine geographic variation in the Bell’s Vireo using genetic data. We reconstructed evolutionary relationships within the complex using mitochondrial ND2 and nuclear sex-linked ACO1-I9. We sequenced ND2 for 45 individuals from throughout the breeding range of the Bell’s Vireo and ACO1-I9 was sequenced for a subset of those individuals. Bayesian analyses of these data identified two major clades within Bell’s Vireo. The two clades follow an east/west division with a contact zone in Arizona. The eastern clade contains V. b. bellii and V. b. medius, while the western clade contains V. b. pusillus and V. b. arizonae. The four individual subspecies do not form reciprocally monophyletic units within their respective clades. The east and west clades are approximately 3% divergent in their mitochondrial sequence data, a similar level to that observed between other avian species. Using BEAST and an ND2 divergence rate of 0.0115 per lineage per million years, we estimate the two clades diverged from 1.12 - 2.09 million years ago.
Brewer 2010 (HBW 15).
 
Varied Tit

154: McKay, Mays, Wan, Yao & Nishiumi. Integrative taxonomy and evolutionary history of the Varied Tit (Poecile varius).
Abstract:
We used multiple sources of data to tease apart geographic variation from independent evolutionary lineages (i.e., taxa) in a morphologically variable species complex, appropriately named the Varied Tit (Poecile varius). The Varied Tit is an East Asian endemic distributed mainly on islands. Its [highly fragmented range has been traditionally divided into 9 subspecies on the basis of plumage and morphometric differences. Using UV digital photography to quantify 9 plumage patches that have been described as differing among subspecies, we evaluated the geographic distribution of color and morphometric measurements. We added sequence data from mitochondrial DNA and 6 nuclear introns to develop an integrative taxonomy with congruent support for four independently evolving taxa within the complex. Six subspecies with overlapping clinal variation were condensed into a single, widely distributed and morphologically variable northern taxon. Two narrowly distributed southern taxa were deeply divergent genetically. Another taxon, endemic to the southern Izu Islands, was highly divergent in morphology but did not differ in our DNA markers. A time-calibrated species tree revealed a pectinate phylogenetic history with southern taxa progressively basal to northern taxa, suggesting a northward colonization of the Ryukyu Islands and Japan from southern China. We will discuss the value of incorporating multiple kinds of data for developing taxonomic and biogeographic hypotheses.
Gosler & Clement 2007 (HBW 12).
 
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Maratua endemics

326: Chua, Phillipps, Moyle & Sheldon. Biogeography and taxonomy of birds of Maratua Island, Borneo.
Abstract:
Although studies of bird biogeography in insular Southeast Asia using molecular methods are increasing in number, our understanding of bird evolution in the region is still poor. Among the dynamics that are especially intriguing and unknown is the interplay of populations between oceanic and continental islands. One example of this interaction is between continental Borneo and Maratua, a small oceanic island off its east coast. Birds on Maratua are morphologically highly differentiated from their counterparts on Borneo, despite close proximity, and most are in different subspecies based on descriptions in the 1930s. Here we provide genetic comparisons of 3 particularly distinct taxa: Black-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus atriceps), Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea), and White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus). These comparisons show conclusively that the birds on Maratua are different species than their Bornean counterparts, and their marked differentiation is probably a function of founder effects and continued small population sizes.
Presumably...
  • Maratua Black-headed Bulbul - Pycnonotus (atriceps) hodiernus [ref: Fishpool & Tobias 2005 (HBW 10)]
  • Maratua Black-naped Monarch - Hypothymis (azurea) aeria [ref: Moeliker 2006 (HBW 11)]
  • Maratua White-rumped Shama - Copsychus (malabaricus) barbouri [ref: Collar 2005 (HBW 10)]
 
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Caatinga/Cactus Parakeet

342: Ferraroni & Silveira. Morphological data do not support the Saõ Francisco River as a geographical barrier for Aratinga cactorum (Aves: Psittacidae).
Abstract:
Rivers have been considered an important ecological barrier for the dispersal of several bird species (Haffer 1992, Bol. Mus. Paraense Emilio Goeldi 8: 217-245). The São Francisco River separates numerous species of vertebrates (Naka et al. 2012, Am. Nat. 179: 115-132), and some authors (Juniper & Parr 1998, Parrots, Yale Univ. Press; Forshaw 2010, Parrows of the world, A&C Black Publ.) suggested that it also affects Aratinga cactorum (Cactus Conure), a small conure endemic of caatinga that occurs throughout the Neotropics (Collar 1997, in Handbook of birds of world, 4: 430). Two subspecies are currently recognized and is assumed that the river is the geographical barrier separating them. A. c. cactorum is restricted to south, whereas A. c. caixana occurs west and north of the river. The aim of this study was testing the existence of such barrier and the morphological differences reported in the literature for A. cactorum, in order to investigate the variation within the genus Aratinga. A total of 62 specimens deposited in the collection of MZUSP were analyzed and measured (exposed culmen, width of bill at base, wing, tail and tarsus length), specimens were mapped in ArcGis 9.3 and morphometric analyses run in Statistica 7. Results highlight the absence of significant morphological differences between the two taxa, suggesting that the São Francisco River does not represent a barrier for this species. We hereby suggest that Aratinga cactorum caixana Spix, 1824 should be considered as a synonym of A. cactorum (Kuhl, 1820).
Collar 1997 (HBW 4).
 
Western Scrub Jay

352: Gowen, Cicero, Peterson & McCormack. Genetic structure in Western Scrub-Jays based on nuclear markers.
Abstract:
The Western Scrub-Jay contains 2 distinct mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages (coastal and interior) that are roughly 2% divergent and meet in only a few contact zones in the w. US. Although there appears to be little gene flow beyond the hybrid zone, mtDNA is known to show reduced introgression in birds due to Haldane’s Rule. Therefore, the mtDNA pattern may not be reflective of introgression in the full genome. To assess introgression in nuclear DNA between the 2 lineages, and to provide a species-wide portrait of genetic structure and gene flow, we genotyped 690 Western Scrub-Jays at 13 microsatellite loci, including all parts of their wide geographic range in the US and Mexico. Our results show that nuclear markers introgress farther geographically than mtDNA, but that introgression is still limited to areas near the hybrid zone. Western Scrub-Jays as a whole contain considerable genetic structure with STRUCTURE results supporting several genetic groupings. Based on phenotypic differences and limited gene flow, our recommendation is that Western Scrub-Jays be split into several species.
Presumably based upon McCormack et al 2011, recognising California Scrub Jay A (c) californica, Woodhouse's Scrub Jay A (c) woodhouseii, Sumichrast's Scrub Jay A (c) sumichrasti.

Marzluff 2009 (HBW 14).
 
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Torrent Duck

355: Gutierrez-Pinto, McCracken, Alza, Tubaro, Kopuchian, Astie & Cadena. Testing adaptive hypotheses at a continental level: phylogeography, hemoglobins and morphology of Torrent Ducks.
Abstract:
High-elevation environments pose ecophysiological challenges for organisms, including low temperatures and reduced oxygen availability, and many adaptive strategies to overcome such challenges have been documented. Among the most studied are Bergmann’s and Allen’s Rule, which indicate that organisms living in colder habitats, including those at high elevations, tend to be larger and to have smaller limbs, respectively, to minimize heat loss through body surface. Also, organisms show physiological adaptations to deal with hypoxia via changes in the hemoglobin structure that increase its affinity to oxygen. We evaluated high-altitude adaptations in Torrent Ducks along replicate elevational gradients in different regions by evaluating morphological variation related with temperature and genetic variation in hemoglobin with respect to elevation. We found a deep genetic subdivision in mtDNA of Torrent Duck populations, recovering distinct clades for northern, central, and southern Andes. We did not find a clear association of hemoglobin variants with elevation, but we cannot discard the existence of a cline in allele frequency for one of our study rivers. We found that Torrent Duck morphology is consistent with Bergmann’s rule over the thermal gradient associated with latitude, but not in thermal gradients associated with elevation. Similarly, Allen’s rule seems to apply only over thermal gradients associated with latitude and not along the gradient associated with elevation. In sum, our results highlight the importance of studying organismal variation across continuous elevation gradients because they allow uncovering the interaction between natural selection and gene flow.
Monroe & Sibley 1993 lists as possible species:
  • Merganetta (armata) colombiana - Colombian Torrent Duck
  • Merganetta (armata) leucogenis - Peruvian Torrent Duck
  • Merganetta (armata) armata - Chilean Torrent Duck
Carboneras 1992 (HBW 1).
 
[no support for splitting P (v) owstoni 'Owston's Varied Tit'.]

Hi Richard, although we suggest that Owston's Tit is young (its mtDNA is mixed with varius), we absolutely find morphological evidence for the distinctiveness of P. owstoni and recommend elevating this taxon to species.

P. casteneoventris (in Taiwan) and P. olivaceus (in Iriomote) were also distinct in morphology and deeply divergent in both mtDNA and nuclear introns. We recommend all three be split off as species from varius.

BTW, Chestnut-bellied Tit (P. casteneoventris) is ~10% divergent in mtDNA!!
 
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Varied Tit

Hi Richard, although we suggest that Owston's Tit is young (it's mtDNA is mixed with varius), we absolutely find morphological evidence for the distinctiveness of P. owstoni and recommend elevating this taxon to species.
P. casteneoventris (in Taiwan) and P. olivaceus (in Iriomote) were also distinct in morphology and deeply divergent in both mtDNA and nuclear introns. We recommend all three be split off as species from varius.
BTW, Chestnut-bellied Tit (P. casteneoventris) is ~10% divergent in mtDNA!!
OK, many thanks for the preview, Bailey. :t:

Should be an interesting meeting – wish I could attend...

PS. I've deleted my earlier incorrect comment to avoid potential confusion.

PPS. Most references restrict olivaceus to Iriomotejima, but OSJ 2012 (Check-list of Japanese Birds, 7th ed) lists it as a resident breeder on both Iriomotejima and Ishigakijima. I didn't encounter Varied Tit on Ishigakijima – I wonder if it's a former resident there (but now extinct), or just a mistake?
 
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