Molecular systematics of swifts of the genus Chaetura (Aves: Apodiformes: Apodidae)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Molecular systematics of swifts of the genus Chaetura (Aves: Apodiformes: Apodidae)

AU - Chesser, R. Terry

AU - Vaseghi, Haley

AU - Hosner, Peter A.

AU - Bergner, Laura M.

AU - Cortes-Rodriguez, M. Nandadevi

AU - Welch, Andreanna J.

AU - Collins, Charles T.

PY - 2018

Y1 - 2018

N2 - Phylogenetic relationships among swifts of the morphologically conservative genus Chaetura were studied using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Taxon sampling included all species and 21 of 30 taxa (species and subspecies) within Chaetura. Our results indicate that Chaetura is monophyletic and support the division of the genus into the two subgenera previously identified using plumage characters. However, our genetic data, when considered in combination with phenotypic data, appear to be at odds with the current classification of some species of Chaetura. We recommend that C. viridipennis, currently generally treated as specifically distinct from C. chapmani, be returned to its former status as C. chapmani viridipennis, and that C. andrei, now generally regarded as synonymous with C. vauxi aphanes, again be recognized as a valid species. Widespread Neotropical species C. spinicaudus is paraphyletic with respect to more range-restricted species C. fumosa, C. egregia, and C. martinica. Geographically structured genetic variation within some other species of Chaetura, especially notable in C. cinereiventris, suggests that future study may lead to recognition of additional species in this genus. Biogeographic analysis indicated that Chaetura originated in South America and identified several dispersal events to Middle and North America following the formation of the Isthmus of Panama.

AB - Phylogenetic relationships among swifts of the morphologically conservative genus Chaetura were studied using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Taxon sampling included all species and 21 of 30 taxa (species and subspecies) within Chaetura. Our results indicate that Chaetura is monophyletic and support the division of the genus into the two subgenera previously identified using plumage characters. However, our genetic data, when considered in combination with phenotypic data, appear to be at odds with the current classification of some species of Chaetura. We recommend that C. viridipennis, currently generally treated as specifically distinct from C. chapmani, be returned to its former status as C. chapmani viridipennis, and that C. andrei, now generally regarded as synonymous with C. vauxi aphanes, again be recognized as a valid species. Widespread Neotropical species C. spinicaudus is paraphyletic with respect to more range-restricted species C. fumosa, C. egregia, and C. martinica. Geographically structured genetic variation within some other species of Chaetura, especially notable in C. cinereiventris, suggests that future study may lead to recognition of additional species in this genus. Biogeographic analysis indicated that Chaetura originated in South America and identified several dispersal events to Middle and North America following the formation of the Isthmus of Panama.

KW - Apodidae

KW - Chaetura

KW - Cryptic species

KW - Phylogenetics

KW - Species limits

KW - Swifts

U2 - 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.07.006

DO - 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.07.006

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30017823

AN - SCOPUS:85051762866

SN - 1055-7903

VL - 128

SP - 162

EP - 171

JO - Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

JF - Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

ER -