Molecular phylogeny of Chloropseidae and Irenidae - cryptic species and biogeography

Maria Møller Moltesen, Martin Irestedt, Jon Fjeldså, Per G. P. Ericson, Knud Andreas Jønsson

    13 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Chloropseidae (Leafbirds) and Irenidae (Fairy-bluebirds) are colourful Oriental birds, which have been placed as a deep (old) branch in the radiation of passeroid songbirds. We present a densely sampled molecular phylogeny of the two families based on two nuclear introns (GAPDH and ODC) and two mitochondrial genes (ND3 and cyt-b) largely stemming from old museum specimens. Our results show that several subspecies within both Chloropseidae and Irenidae are genetically distinct and separated in the Miocene some 10-11. Million years ago (Mya), indicating a substantial underestimation of species numbers within the two families. Based on our molecular findings, plumage distinctiveness and contemporary distributions we propose that several subspecies be recognised at the species level. Furthermore, we use the molecular data to examine biogeographical patterns of the two families in the light of historical geological re-arrangements in the region. The results indicate that the Philippines were colonised in the Pliocene and that colonisation probably progressed via the Sulu islands from Borneo and not via Palawan, which was first colonised in the Pleistocene.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
    Volume65
    Issue number3
    Pages (from-to)903-914
    Number of pages12
    ISSN1055-7903
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012

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