Genetic structure offers insights into the evolution of migration and the taxonomy of the Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus species complex

Joshua I. Engel; Kizungu Byamana; Charles Kahindo; John M. Bates; Jon Fjeldså

doi:10.1111/ibi.12145

Genetic structure offers insights into the evolution of migration and the taxonomy of the Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus species complex

Joshua I. Engel, Kizungu Byamana, Charles Kahindo, John M. Bates, Jon Fjeldså

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx montanus) currently comprises two morphologically distinct subspecies, one resident in the Albertine Rift (montanus) and one in east and southeast Africa (patulus) in which there are migrations that are poorly understood. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we find that two specimens collected in relatively low-elevation forest in the Albertine Rift were correctly identified from plumage as the migratory subspecies whose closest known breeding area is > 800 km to the east. We discuss ways in which this unique migratory pattern could have evolved and argue that migration was gained and then lost in the C. montanus complex. Based on consistent morphological and genetic differences, we suggest that Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo is best treated as two species, one of which (C. montanus) is a non-migratory Albertine Rift endemic.

Original language	English
Journal	Ibis
Volume	156
Issue number	2
Pages (from-to)	330-340
Number of pages	11
ISSN	0019-1019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12145
Publication status	Published - Apr 2014

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10.1111/ibi.12145

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title = "Genetic structure offers insights into the evolution of migration and the taxonomy of the Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus species complex",

abstract = "Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx montanus) currently comprises two morphologically distinct subspecies, one resident in the Albertine Rift (montanus) and one in east and southeast Africa (patulus) in which there are migrations that are poorly understood. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we find that two specimens collected in relatively low-elevation forest in the Albertine Rift were correctly identified from plumage as the migratory subspecies whose closest known breeding area is > 800 km to the east. We discuss ways in which this unique migratory pattern could have evolved and argue that migration was gained and then lost in the C. montanus complex. Based on consistent morphological and genetic differences, we suggest that Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo is best treated as two species, one of which (C. montanus) is a non-migratory Albertine Rift endemic.",

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year = "2014",

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T1 - Genetic structure offers insights into the evolution of migration and the taxonomy of the Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus species complex

AU - Engel, Joshua I.

AU - Byamana, Kizungu

AU - Kahindo, Charles

AU - Bates, John M.

AU - Fjeldså, Jon

PY - 2014/4

Y1 - 2014/4

N2 - Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx montanus) currently comprises two morphologically distinct subspecies, one resident in the Albertine Rift (montanus) and one in east and southeast Africa (patulus) in which there are migrations that are poorly understood. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we find that two specimens collected in relatively low-elevation forest in the Albertine Rift were correctly identified from plumage as the migratory subspecies whose closest known breeding area is > 800 km to the east. We discuss ways in which this unique migratory pattern could have evolved and argue that migration was gained and then lost in the C. montanus complex. Based on consistent morphological and genetic differences, we suggest that Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo is best treated as two species, one of which (C. montanus) is a non-migratory Albertine Rift endemic.

AB - Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx montanus) currently comprises two morphologically distinct subspecies, one resident in the Albertine Rift (montanus) and one in east and southeast Africa (patulus) in which there are migrations that are poorly understood. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we find that two specimens collected in relatively low-elevation forest in the Albertine Rift were correctly identified from plumage as the migratory subspecies whose closest known breeding area is > 800 km to the east. We discuss ways in which this unique migratory pattern could have evolved and argue that migration was gained and then lost in the C. montanus complex. Based on consistent morphological and genetic differences, we suggest that Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo is best treated as two species, one of which (C. montanus) is a non-migratory Albertine Rift endemic.

U2 - 10.1111/ibi.12145

DO - 10.1111/ibi.12145

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0019-1019

VL - 156

SP - 330

EP - 340

JO - Ibis

JF - Ibis

IS - 2

ER -