| 1. |
- Ji, Yanzhu, et al.
(författare)
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Orthologous microsatellites, transposable elements, and DNA deletions correlate with generation time and body mass in neoavian birds
- 2022
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Ingår i: Science Advances. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 2375-2548. ; 8:35
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The rate of mutation accumulation in germline cells can be affected by cell replication and/or DNA damage, which are further related to life history traits such as generation time and body mass. Leveraging the existing datasets of 233 neoavian bird species, here, we investigated whether generation time and body mass contribute to the interspecific variation of orthologous microsatellite length, transposable element (TE) length, and deletion length and how these genomic attributes affect genome sizes. In nonpasserines, we found that generation time is correlated to both orthologous microsatellite length and TE length, and body mass is negatively correlated to DNA deletions. These patterns are less pronounced in passerines. In all species, we found that DNA deletions relate to genome size similarly as TE length, suggesting a role of body mass dynamics in genome evolution. Our results indicate that generation time and body mass shape the evolution of genomic attributes in neoavian birds.
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| 2. |
- Wu, Lei, et al.
(författare)
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Limited Song Mixing Without Genomic Gene Flow in a Contact Zone Between Two Songbird Species
- 2023
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Ingår i: Molecular biology and evolution. - : Oxford University Press. - 0737-4038 .- 1537-1719. ; 40:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Song is considered to play an important role in the maintenance of prezygotic reproductive isolation between closely related songbird species. Therefore, song mixing in a contact zone between closely related species is often considered as evidence of hybridization. The Sichuan Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus forresti and the Gansu Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus kansuensis, which diverged 2 million years ago, have formed a contact zone in the south of the Gansu Province of China, where mixed songs have been observed. In this study, we investigated the potential causes and consequences of song mixing by integrating bioacoustic, morphological, mitochondrial, and genomic data with field ecological observations. We found that the two species display no apparent morphological differences, whereas their songs differ dramatically. We demonstrated that ∼11% of the males in the contact zone sang mixed songs. Two males singing mixed song were genotyped, and both were found to be P. kansuensis. Despite the presence of mixed singers, population genomic analyses detected no signs of recent gene flow between the two species, although two possible cases of mitochondrial introgression were identified. We conclude that the rather limited song mixing does not lead to, or result from, hybridization, and hence does not result in the breakdown of reproductive barriers between these cryptic species.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Alström, Per, et al.
(författare)
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A review of the recent advances in the systematics of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea
- 2013
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Ingår i: Chinese Birds. - : Chinese Birds (Press). - 1674-7674. ; 4, s. 99-131
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The systematics of the avian superfamily Sylvioidea are reviewed, focusing on studies of relationships among families and within genera, more superficially on taxonomic studies at the species level. For the families Bernieridae and Phylloscopidae, new analyses based on already published sequence data are presented. Our understanding of relationships has been vastly improved in recent years due to a large number of molecular studies. However, the relationships among the different families remain largely obscured, probably mainly as a result of rapid divergence of the different primary lineages (families). Also, species level taxonomy has been much improved in recent years due to a large number of studies applying molecular markers and/or vocalizations and other life-history data. It seems likely that the number of species will continue to increase, as new groups are being studied with modern integrative methods.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Alström, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Discovery of a relict lineage and monotypic family of passerine birds.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Biology Letters. - : The Royal Society. - 1744-9561 .- 1744-957X. ; 10:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Analysis of one of the most comprehensive datasets to date of the largest passerine bird clade, Passerida, identified 10 primary well-supported lineages corresponding to Sylvioidea, Muscicapoidea, Certhioidea, Passeroidea, the ‘bombycillids’ (here proposed to be recognized as Bombycilloidea), Paridae/Remizidae (proposed to be recognized as Paroidea), Stenostiridae, Hyliotidae, Regulidae (proposed to be recognized as Reguloidea) and spotted wren-babbler Spelaeornis formosus. The latter was found on a single branch in a strongly supported clade with Muscicapoidea, Certhioidea and Bombycilloidea, although the relationships among these were unresolved. We conclude that the spotted wren-babbler represents a relict basal lineage within Passerida with no close extant relatives, and we support the already used name Elachura formosa and propose the new family name Elachuridae for this single species.
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| 7. |
- Alström, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Phylogeny and classification of the Old World Emberizini (Aves, Passeriformes)
- 2008
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Ingår i: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 47:3, s. 960-973
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The phylogeny of the avian genus Emberiza and the monotypic genera Latoucheornis, Melophus and Miliaria (collectively the Old World Emberizini), as well as representatives for the New World Emberizini, the circumpolar genera Calcarius and Plectrophertax and the four other generally recognized tribes in the subfamily Emberizinae was estimated based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and introns 6-7 of the nuclear ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene. Our results support monophyly of the Old World Emberizini, but do not corroborate a sister relationship to the New World Emberizini. Calcarius and Plectrophenax form a clade separated from the other Emberizini. This agrees with previous studies, and we recommend the use of the name Calcariini. Latoucheornis, Melophus and Miliaria are nested within Emberiza, and we therefore propose they be synonymized with Emberiza. Emberiza is divided into four main clades, whose relative positions are uncertain, although a sister relation between a clade with six African species and one comprising the rest of the species (30, all Palearctic) is most likely. Most clades agree with traditional, morphology-based, classifications. However, four sister relationships within Emberiza, three of which involve the previously recognized Latoucheornis, Melophus and Miliaria, are unpredicted, and reveal cases of strong morphological divergence. In contrast, the plumage similarity between adult male Emberiza (formerly Latoucheornis) siemsseni and the nominate subspecies of the New World Junco hyemalis is shown to be the result of parallel evolution. A further case of parallel plumage evolution, between African and Eurasian taxa, is pointed out. Two cases of discordance between the mitochondrial and nuclear data with respect to branch lengths and genetic divergences are considered to be the result of introgressive hybridization.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Cai, Tianlong, et al.
(författare)
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Near-complete phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the world's babblers (Aves: Passeriformes)
- 2019
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Ingår i: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 130, s. 346-356
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The babblers are a diverse group of passerine birds comprising 452 species. The group was long regarded as a "scrap basket" in taxonomic classification schemes. Although several studies have assessed the phylogenetic relationships for subsets of babblers during the past two decades, a comprehensive phylogeny of this group has been lacking. In this study, we used five mitochondrial and seven nuclear loci to generate a dated phylogeny for babblers. This phylogeny includes 402 species (ca. 89% of the overall clade) from 75 genera (97%) and all five currently recognized families, providing a robust basis for taxonomic revision. Our phylogeny supports seven major clades and reveals several non-monophyletic genera. Divergence time estimates indicate that the seven major clades diverged around the same time (18-20 million years ago, Ma) in the early Miocene. We use the phylogeny in a consistent way to propose a new taxonomy, with seven families and 64 genera of babblers, and a new linear sequence of names.
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| 10. |
- Cai, Tianlong, et al.
(författare)
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The role of evolutionary time, diversification rates and dispersal in determining the global diversity of a large radiation of passerine birds
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Biogeography. - : Wiley. - 0305-0270 .- 1365-2699. ; 47:7, s. 1612-1625
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: Variation in species diversity among different geographical areas may result from differences in speciation and extinction rates, immigration and time for diversification. An area with high species diversity may be the result of a high net diversification rate, multiple immigration events from adjacent regions, and a long time available for the accumulation of species (known as the 'time-for-speciation effect'). Here, we examine the relative importance of the three aforementioned processes in shaping the geographical diversity patterns of a large radiation of passerine birds. Location: Global. Taxon: Babblers (Aves: Passeriformes). Methods: Using a comprehensive phylogeny of extant species (similar to 90% sampled) and distributions of the world's babblers, we reconstructed their biogeographical history and analysed the diversification dynamics. We examined how species richness correlates with the timing of regional colonization, the number of immigration events and the rate of speciation within all 13 geographical distribution regions. Results: We found that babblers likely originated in the Sino-Himalayan Mountains (SHM) in the early Miocene, suggesting a long time for diversification and species accumulation within the SHM. Regression analyses showed the regional diversity of babblers can be well explained by the timing of the first colonization within of these areas, while differences in rates of speciation or immigration have far weaker effects. Nonetheless, the rapid speciation of Zosterops during the Pleistocene has accounted for the increased diversification and accumulation of species in the oceanic islands. Main Conclusions: Our results suggest that the global diversity patterns of babblers have predominantly been shaped by the time-for-speciation effect. Our findings also support an origin centred in tropical and subtropical parts of the SHM, with a cradle of recent diversification in the oceanic islands of the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, which provides new insights into the generation of global biodiversity hotspots.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Chen, Yilin, et al.
(författare)
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The combination of genomic offset and niche modelling provides insights into climate change-driven vulnerability
- 2022
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Global warming is increasingly exacerbating biodiversity loss. Populations locally adapted to spatially heterogeneous environments may respond differentially to climate change, but this intraspecific variation has only recently been considered when modelling vulnerability under climate change. Here, we incorporate intraspecific variation in genomic offset and ecological niche modelling to estimate climate change-driven vulnerability in two bird species in the Sino-Himalayan Mountains. We found that the cold-tolerant populations show higher genomic offset but risk less challenge for niche suitability decline under future climate than the warm-tolerant populations. Based on a genome-niche index estimated by combining genomic offset and niche suitability change, we identified the populations with the least genome-niche interruption as potential donors for evolutionary rescue, i.e., the populations tolerant to climate change. We evaluated potential rescue routes via a landscape genetic analysis. Overall, we demonstrate that the integration of genomic offset, niche suitability modelling, and landscape connectivity can improve climate change-driven vulnerability assessments and facilitate effective conservation management.
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| 13. |
- Feng, Shaohong, et al.
(författare)
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Dense sampling of bird diversity increases power of comparative genomics
- 2020
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 587:7833
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Whole-genome sequencing projects are increasingly populating the tree of life and characterizing biodiversity(1-4). Sparse taxon sampling has previously been proposed to confound phylogenetic inference(5), and captures only a fraction of the genomic diversity. Here we report a substantial step towards the dense representation of avian phylogenetic and molecular diversity, by analysing 363 genomes from 92.4% of bird families-including 267 newly sequenced genomes produced for phase II of the Bird 10,000 Genomes (B10K) Project. We use this comparative genome dataset in combination with a pipeline that leverages a reference-free whole-genome alignment to identify orthologous regions in greater numbers than has previously been possible and to recognize genomic novelties in particular bird lineages. The densely sampled alignment provides a single-base-pair map of selection, has more than doubled the fraction of bases that are confidently predicted to be under conservation and reveals extensive patterns of weak selection in predominantly non-coding DNA. Our results demonstrate that increasing the diversity of genomes used in comparative studies can reveal more shared and lineage-specific variation, and improve the investigation of genomic characteristics. We anticipate that this genomic resource will offer new perspectives on evolutionary processes in cross-species comparative analyses and assist in efforts to conserve species. A dataset of the genomes of 363 species from the Bird 10,000 Genomes Project shows increased power to detect shared and lineage-specific variation, demonstrating the importance of phylogenetically diverse taxon sampling in whole-genome sequencing.
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| 14. |
- Garg, Kritika M., et al.
(författare)
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When colors mislead : Genomics and bioacoustics prompt re-classification of Asian flycatcher radiation (Aves: Niltavinae)
- 2024
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Ingår i: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 193
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Traditional classification of many animals, including birds, has been highly dependent on external morphological characters like plumage coloration. However, both bioacoustics and genetic or genomic data have revolutionized our understanding of the relationships of certain lineages and led to sweeping taxonomic re-organizations. In this study, we present a case of erroneous delimitation of genus boundaries in the species-rich flycatcher subfamily Niltavinae. Genera within this subfamily have historically been delineated based on blue versus brown male body plumage until recent studies based on a few mitochondrial and nuclear loci unearthed several cases of generic misclassification. Here we use extensive bioacoustic data from 43 species and genomic data from 28 species for a fundamental reclassification of species in the Niltavinae. Our study reveals that song is an important trait to classify these birds even at the genus level, whereas plumage traits exhibit ample convergence and have led to numerous historic misattributions. Our taxonomic re-organization leads to new biogeographic limits of major genera, such that the genus Cyornis now only extends as far east as the islands of Sulawesi, Sula, and Banggai, whereas Eumyias is redefined to extend far beyond Wallace's Line to the islands of Seram and Timor. Our conclusions advise against an over-reliance on morphological traits and underscore the importance of integrative datasets.
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| 15. |
- James, Helen F, et al.
(författare)
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Pseudopodoces humilis, a misclassified terrestrial tit (Paridae) of the Tibetan Plateau: evolutionary consequences of shifting adaptive zones
- 2003
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Ingår i: Ibis. - 0019-1019 .- 1474-919X. ; 145:2, s. 185-202
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pseudopodoces humilis (Hume's Ground-Jay) is a small passerine bird that inhabits the high rocky steppes of the Tibetan (Qinghai–Xizang) Plateau. Although it was long classified as a small species of ground jay (Podoces), two previous anatomical studies cast doubt on its assignment to the Corvidae (crows and jays). We studied the evolutionary relationships of Pseudopodoces using three independent datasets drawn from comparative osteology, the nuclear c-myc gene, and the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. All three datasets agree on the placement of Pseudopodoces in the family Paridae (tits and chickadees). The cytochrome b data further suggest that Pseudopodoces may be closest to the Great Tit Parus major species group. Pseudopodoces is the only species of parid whose distribution is limited to treeless terrain. Its evolutionary relationships were long obscured by adaptations to open habitat, including pale, cryptic plumage; a long, decurved bill for probing in crevices among rocks or in the ground; and long legs for terrestrial locomotion. Despite these accommodations to a novel adaptive zone, its evolutionary affinity with the Paridae is clearly expressed in comparative osteology and genetics, and is supported by its habit of nesting in cavities.
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| 16. |
- Jiang, Zhiyong, et al.
(författare)
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Gene flow and an anomaly zone complicate phylogenomic inference in a rapidly radiated avian family (Prunellidae)
- 2024
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Ingår i: BMC Biology. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1741-7007. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundResolving the phylogeny of rapidly radiating lineages presents a challenge when building the Tree of Life. An Old World avian family Prunellidae (Accentors) comprises twelve species that rapidly diversified at the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary.ResultsHere we investigate the phylogenetic relationships of all species of Prunellidae using a chromosome-level de novo assembly of Prunella strophiata and 36 high-coverage resequenced genomes. We use homologous alignments of thousands of exonic and intronic loci to build the coalescent and concatenated phylogenies and recover four different species trees. Topology tests show a large degree of gene tree-species tree discordance but only 40-54% of intronic gene trees and 36-75% of exonic genic trees can be explained by incomplete lineage sorting and gene tree estimation errors. Estimated branch lengths for three successive internal branches in the inferred species trees suggest the existence of an empirical anomaly zone. The most common topology recovered for species in this anomaly zone was not similar to any coalescent or concatenated inference phylogenies, suggesting presence of anomalous gene trees. However, this interpretation is complicated by the presence of gene flow because extensive introgression was detected among these species. When exploring tree topology distributions, introgression, and regional variation in recombination rate, we find that many autosomal regions contain signatures of introgression and thus may mislead phylogenetic inference. Conversely, the phylogenetic signal is concentrated to regions with low-recombination rate, such as the Z chromosome, which are also more resistant to interspecific introgression.ConclusionsCollectively, our results suggest that phylogenomic inference should consider the underlying genomic architecture to maximize the consistency of phylogenomic signal.
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| 17. |
- Li, Xinlei, et al.
(författare)
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Shaped by uneven Pleistocene climate: mitochondrial phylogeographic pattern and population history of White Wagtail Motacilla alba (Aves: Passeriformes).
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Avian Biology. - : Wiley. - 0908-8857 .- 1600-048X. ; 47, s. 263-274
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We studied the phylogeography and population history of the white wagtail Motacilla alba, which has a vast breeding range, covering areas with different Pleistocene climatic histories. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit II gene (ND2) and Control Region (CR) were analyzed for 273 individuals from 45 localities. Our data comprised all nine subspecies of white wagtail. Four primary clades were inferred (M, N, SW and SE), with indications of M. grandis being nested within M. alba. The oldest split was between two haplotypes from the endemic Moroccan M. a. subpersonata (clade M) and the others, at 0.63–0.96 Mya; other divergences were at 0.31–0.38 Mya. The entire differentiation falls within the part of the Pleistocene characterized by Milankovitch cycles of large amplitudes and durations. Clade N was distributed across the northern Palearctic; clade SW in southwestern Asia plus the British Isles and was predicted by Ecological niche models (ENMs) to occur also in central and south Europe; and clade SE was distributed in central and east Asia. e deep divergence within M. a. subpersonata may reflect retention of ancestral haplotypes. Regional differences in historical climates have had different impacts on different populations: clade N expanded after the last glacial maximum (LGM), whereas milder Pleistocene climate of east Asia allowed clade SE a longer expansion time (since MIS 5); clade SW expanded over a similarly long time as clade SE, which is untypical for European species. ENMs supported these conclusions in that the northern part of the Eurasian continent was unsuitable during the LGM, whereas southern parts remained suitable. e recent divergences and poor structure in the mitochondrial tree contrasts strongly with the pronounced, well defined phenotypical differentiation, indicating extremely fast plumage divergence.
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| 18. |
- Qu, Yanhua, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Genetic responses to seasonalvariation in altitudinal stress: whole-genome resequencing ofgreat tit in eastern Himalayas
- 2015
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Species that undertake altitudinal migrations are exposed to a considerable seasonal variationin oxygen levels and temperature. How they cope with this was studied in a population of greattit (Parus major) that breeds at high elevations and winters at lower elevations in the easternHimalayas. Comparison of population genomics of high altitudinal great tits and those living inlowlands revealed an accelerated genetic selection for carbohydrate energy metabolism (aminosugar, nucleotide sugar metabolism and insulin signaling pathways) and hypoxia response (PI3K-akt,mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways) in the high altitudinal population. The PI3K-akt, mTOR andMAPK pathways modulate the hypoxia-inducible factors, HIF-1α and VEGF protein expression thusindirectly regulate hypoxia induced angiogenesis, erythropoiesis and vasodilatation. The strategiesobserved in high altitudinal great tits differ from those described in a closely related species onthe Tibetan Plateau, the sedentary ground tit (Parus humilis). This species has enhanced selectionin lipid-specific metabolic pathways and hypoxia-inducible factor pathway (HIF-1). Comparativepopulation genomics also revealed selection for larger body size in high altitudinal great tits.
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| 19. |
- Qu, Yanhua, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Ground tit genome reveals avian adaptation to living at high altitudes in the Tibetan plateau.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Nature communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 4, s. 2071-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ground tit (Parus humilis) is endemic to the Tibetan plateau. It is a member of family Paridae but it was long thought to be related to the ground jays because of their morphological similarities. Here we present the ground tit's genome and re-sequence two tits and one ground jay, to clarify this controversially taxonomic status and uncover its genetic adaptations to the Tibetan plateau. Our results show that ground tit groups with two tits and it diverges from them between 7.7 and 9.9 Mya. Compared with other avian genomes, ground tit shows expansion in genes linked to energy metabolism and contractions in genes involved in immune and olfactory perception. We also found positively selected and rapidly evolving genes in hypoxia response and skeletal development. These results indicated that ground tit evolves basic strategies and 'tit-to-jay' change for coping with the life in an extreme environment.
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| 20. |
- Qu, Yanhua, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term isolation and stability explain high genetic diversity in the Eastern Himalaya.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 23:3, s. 705-20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- China's Southwest Mountainous Region in Eastern Himalaya is a ‘biodiversity hotspot’ of global interest for conservation. Yet little is known about what has driven this unique diversity. The dramatic topography of the Southwest Mountainous Region resulting from the tectonic uplift during the late Pliocene leads to dramatic ecological stratification, which creates physical barriers to migration and isolates organisms into different subregions and mountain systems. This agrees with the observation that the phylogeographical patterns found in four species of birds (Alcippe morrisonia, Stachyridopsis ruficeps, Parus monticolus and Aegithalos concinnus) distributed in this region are characterized by deep splits between lineages that coalesce between 0.8 and 2.1 Ma. Unlike other regions at this latitude, the Southwest Mountainous Region was largely unaffected by the Pleistocene glaciations. Genetically isolated populations of these birds could thus be maintained throughout the Pleistocene in these rather stable montane environments. In comparison, we found radically different phylogeographical patterns in populations of the same four species distributed in the adjacent lowland, the Central China region. This region has a distinctly different geological history with dramatic, climate-induced shifts in vegetation during the Pleistocene. Here, we found a considerably less geographical structure in the genetic variation and a much younger coalescence time (0.3-0.7 Ma). We also found evidence of genetic bottlenecks during the glacial periods and gene flow during the interglacial expansions. We conclude that the high genetic diversity in the Southwest Mountainous Region results from a long-term in situ diversification within these evolutionary isolated and environment stable montane habitats.
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| 21. |
- Qu, Yanhua, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Molecular phylogenetic relationship of snow finch complex (genera Montifringilla, Pyrgilauda, and Onychostruthus) from the Tibetan plateau.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 40:1, s. 218-26
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The snow finch complex (Montifringilla, Pyrgilauda, and Onychostruthus) has its center of distribution on the Tibetan plateau, with six out of seven species in the genera occurring there. Phylogenetic relationships among these six species of three genera have been studied based on DNA sequence data obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the nuclear myoglobin gene. The results support monophyly of the snow finch complex group and three major evolutionary lineages are recognized. The first clade consists of ruficollis, blanfordi, and davidiana. These three taxa are sometimes placed in their own genus, Pyrgilauda, and the DNA data supports this. The three taxa nivalis, henrici, and adamsi have traditionally been placed in the genus Montifringilla, and they group together strongly in the present analysis. The results further suggest that nivalis and adamsi are more closely related to each other than are nivalis and henrici, despite that the latter two are often regarded as conspecific. The third distinct lineage within the snow finch complex consists of taczanowskii, which has been placed its own genus, Onychostruthus. This taxon has a basal position in the phylogenetic tree and is sister to all other snow finches. We estimated that taczanowskii split from the other taxa between 2 and 2.5 mya, i.e., about the time for the most recent uplift of the Tibetan plateau, "the Tibet movement", 3.6-1.7 mya. Cladogenesis within the Montifringilla and Pyrgilauda clades seems to be contemporary with the second phase of "Tibet movement" at 2.5 mya and the third phase at 1.7 mya and "Kunhuang movement" in 1.5-0.6 mya. The dramatic climatic and ecological changes following from the uplift of the Tibetan plateau, together with the cyclic contraction and expansion of suitable habitats during the Pleistocene, are probably the most important factors for the cladogenesis in snow finch complex.
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| 22. |
- Qu, Yanhua, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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The evolution of ancestral and species-specific adaptations in snowfinches at the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
- 2021
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 10.1073/pnas.2012398118:13, s. e2012398118-e2012398118
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Species in a shared environment tend to evolve similar adaptations under the influence of their phylogenetic context. Using snowfinches, a monophyletic group of passerine birds (Passeridae), we study the relative roles of ancestral and species-specific adaptations to an extreme high-elevation environment, the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Our ancestral trait reconstruction shows that the ancestral snowfinch occupied high elevations and had a larger body mass than most nonsnowfinches in Passeridae. Subsequently, this phenotypic adaptation diversified in the descendant species. By comparing high-quality genomes from representatives of the three phylogenetic lineages, we find that about 95% of genes under positive selection in the descendant species are different from those in the ancestor. Consistently, the biological functions enriched for these species differ from those of their ancestor to various degrees (semantic similarity values ranging from 0.27 to 0.5), suggesting that the three descendant species have evolved divergently from the initial adaptation in their common ancestor. Using a functional assay to a highly selective gene, DTL, we demonstrate that the nonsynonymous substitutions in the ancestor and descendant species have improved the repair capacity of ultraviolet-induced DNA damage. The repair kinetics of the DTL gene shows a twofold to fourfold variation across the ancestor and the descendants. Collectively, this study reveals an exceptional case of adaptive evolution to high-elevation environments, an evolutionary process with an initial adaptation in the common ancestor followed by adaptive diversification of the descendant species.
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| 23. |
- Qu, Yanhua, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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The influence of geological events on the endemism of East Asian birds studied through comparative phylogeography
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Biogeography. - : Wiley. - 0305-0270 .- 1365-2699. ; 42:1, s. 179-192
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: East Asia is known for its exceptionally high biological diversity and endemism. Various geological and climatic events during the Pliocene and Pleistocene have been invoked to explain this high endemism, and these processes have had different impacts on different organisms. Herein, we investigate the relative role of these historical processes in the genetic evidence for endemism of intraspecific lineages of two East Asian species: the grey-cheeked fulvetta (Alcippe morrisonia) and the red-headed tree babbler (Stachyridopsis ruficeps).Location: East Asia.Methods: We studied the genetic structure based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA and evaluated the phylogeographical lineages using coalescent species tree approaches. The influences of different historical processes on diversification among phylogeographical lineages were analysed using coalescent models. We tested correlations between ecological divergence and phylogeographical splits.Results: The genetic structure analysis and species tree estimation revealed three deeply divergent lineages within both species. One lineage is endemic to the mountains of Southwest China and the other to Taiwan. Coalescent simulations suggested that lineage diversification mostly occurred during the late Pliocene. Within this time frame, uplift of the mountains of Southwest China and formation of the island of Taiwan are geological events consistent with the geographical isolation and ecological niche divergence of these phylogeographical lineages.Main conclusions: Our results suggest that the main driver of avian endemism in East Asia was the formation of new montane and island habitats following the uplift of the mountains of Southwest China and formation of the island of Taiwan in the Pliocene. However, the populations in the two regions were affected differently by the climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene. The mountains of Southwest China were climatically stable during glaciations,allowing populations to persist throughout the Pleistocene and maintain their genetic uniqueness. In contrast, glaciations resulted in lowered sea levels, allowing dispersal between the island of Taiwan and mainland China, thus obscuring the genetic endemism of the Taiwanese populations.
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| 24. |
- Rancilhac, Loïs, et al.
(författare)
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Introgression Underlies Phylogenetic Uncertainty But Not Parallel Plumage Evolution in a Recent Songbird Radiation
- 2023
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Ingår i: Systematic Biology. - : Oxford University Press. - 1063-5157 .- 1076-836X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Instances of parallel phenotypic evolution offer great opportunities to understand the evolutionary processes underlying phenotypic changes. However, confirming parallel phenotypic evolution and studying its causes requires a robust phylogenetic framework. One such example is the “black-and-white wagtails,” a group of 5 species in the songbird genus Motacilla: 1 species, Motacilla alba, shows wide intra-specific plumage variation, while the 4r others form 2 pairs of very similar-looking species (M. aguimp + M. samveasnae and M. grandis + M. maderaspatensis, respectively). However, the 2 species in each of these pairs were not recovered as sisters in previous phylogenetic inferences. Their relationships varied depending on the markers used, suggesting that gene tree heterogeneity might have hampered accurate phylogenetic inference. Here, we use whole genome resequencing data to explore the phylogenetic relationships within this group, with a special emphasis on characterizing the extent of gene tree heterogeneity and its underlying causes. We first used multispecies coalescent methods to generate a “complete evidence” phylogenetic hypothesis based on genome-wide variants, while accounting for incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and introgression. We then investigated the variation in phylogenetic signal across the genome to quantify the extent of discordance across genomic regions and test its underlying causes. We found that wagtail genomes are mosaics of regions supporting variable genealogies, because of ILS and inter-specific introgression. The most common topology across the genome, supporting M. alba and M. aguimp as sister species, appears to be influenced by ancient introgression. Additionally, we inferred another ancient introgression event, between M. alba and M. grandis. By combining results from multiple analyses, we propose a phylogenetic network for the black-and-white wagtails that confirms that similar phenotypes evolved in non-sister lineages, supporting parallel plumage evolution. Furthermore, the inferred reticulations do not connect species with similar plumage coloration, suggesting that introgression does not underlie parallel plumage evolution in this group. Our results demonstrate the importance of investing genome-wide patterns of gene tree heterogeneity to help understand the mechanisms underlying phenotypic evolution. [Gene tree heterogeneity; incomplete lineage sorting; introgression; parallel evolution; phylogenomics; plumage evolution; wagtails.]
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| 25. |
- She, Huishang, et al.
(författare)
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Quantifying adaptive divergence of the snowfinches in a common landscape
- 2022
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Ingår i: Diversity & distributions. - : Wiley. - 1366-9516 .- 1472-4642. ; 28, s. 2579-2592
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AimSpecies living in a shared environment face similar selective pressures and often evolve adaptive divergence to avoid competition. Quantifying phenotypic divergence and its genetic parallelism among sympatric species is important for understanding of ecologically moderated biodiversity. Here, we integrate ecologic, phenotypic and genomic datasets to study to what extent three sympatrically snowfinches (Montifringilla adamsi, Pyrgilauda ruficollis and Onychostruthus taczanowskii) differ in their adaptations in order to co-exist in a shared environment.LocationQinghai–Tibetan Plateau.MethodsWe used principal component analysis to summarize and compare environmental and phenotypic divergence. We compared phenotypes relevant to body and beak sizes (n = 68) because they are indicators of niche and food segregation, thus critical for establishing co-existence of sympatric birds. We used comparative genomics (n = 33) to identify genetic loci that are highly divergent between species as well as loci unique for each of species. Using vector analyses, we integrated correlation and permutation to quantify parallelism between phenotypic and genetic divergences.ResultsWe found that body and beak sizes are significantly different among three snowfinches. The phenotypic differentiations are greater in species that share similar ecological conditions than in those that do not. We showed that genes related to developmental process are over-represented within highly divergent genomic regions and unique genetic loci of each species. We found that the extent of phenotypic divergence between snowfinch pairs is more strongly correlated with the magnitude of divergence in developmental genes than in the whole genome.Main conclusionsAdaptive divergence of sympatric snowfinches is highly constrained on developmental genes. As this genetic divergence is strongly correlated with divergence of the traits related to segregation in niche and food resources, this correlation reflects either causal effects or indirect consequences of ecological mediated changes. Our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying evolutionary versatility and ecological success among sympatric species.
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| 26. |
- Song, Gang, et al.
(författare)
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A zoogeographical boundary between the Palaearctic and Sino-Japanese realms documented by consistent north/south phylogeographical divergences in three woodland birds in eastern China
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Biogeography. - : Wiley. - 0305-0270 .- 1365-2699. ; 43:11, s. 2099-2112
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AimThe location of zoogeographical boundaries in eastern China has long been the subject of debate. To identify any north/south genetic divergence between the Palaearctic and Sino-Japanese realms proposed by previous studies, we conducted a comparative phylogeographical study involving three passerine species with wide latitudinal distributions in eastern China.LocationEastern China.MethodsTwo mitochondrial genes and three nuclear introns were amplified and sequenced. Population structures were analysed using intra-specific phylogeny, tcs networks, AMOVA and structure inferences. We tested for evidence of genetic barriers based on pairwise differences. Lineage divergences, demographic dynamics and gene flow between lineages were estimated using Bayesian methods.ResultsA congruent north/south phylogeographical divergence was identified for three species. A geographical barrier was inferred at c. 40° N in eastern China. The population sizes of the northern and southern lineages have both been stable through the late Pleistocene, while multiple divergences were inferred during the early and middle Pleistocene.Main conclusionsOur results suggest a general phylogeographical break in north-eastern China, coinciding with the Palaearctic/Sino-Japanese boundary. Physical blocking of the Yan Mountains and fragmentation of suitable habitat during glacial stages between the north and south probably acted together to provide long-lasting barrier effects. Our comparative phylogeographical approach demonstrates that the Palaearctic/Sino-Japanese boundary may represent a gene-flow barrier even within widespread species.
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| 27. |
- Song, Gang, et al.
(författare)
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Complete taxon sampling of the avian genus Pica (magpies) reveals ancient relictual populations and synchronous Late-Pleistocene demographic expansion across the Northern Hemisphere
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Avian Biology. - : WILEY. - 0908-8857 .- 1600-048X. ; 49:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Previous studies have suggested that bird populations in east Asia were less affected by Pleistocene climatic fluctuations than those in Europe and North America. However, this is mainly based on comparisons among species. It would be more relevant to analyse geographical populations of widespread species or species complexes. We analyzed two mitochondrial genes and two nuclear introns for all taxa of Pica to investigate 1) which Earth history factors have shaped the lineage divergence, and 2) whether different geographical populations were differently affected by the Pleistocene climatic changes. Our mitochondrial tree recovered three widespread lineages, 1) in east Asia, 2) across north Eurasia, and 3) in North America, respectively, with three isolated lineages in northwest Africa, Arabia and the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, respectively. Divergences among lineages took place 1.4–3.1 million yr ago. The northwest African population was sister to the others, which formed two main clades. In one of these, Arabia was sister to Qinghai‐Tibet, and these formed the sister clade to the east Asia clade. The other main clade comprised the North American and north Eurasian clades. There was no or very slight structure within these six geographical clades, including a lack of differentiation between the two North American species black‐billed magpie P. hudsonia and yellow‐billed magpie P. nutalli. Demographic expansion was recorded in the three most widespread lineages after 0.06 Ma. Asymmetric gene flow was recorded in the north Eurasian clade from southwestern Europe eastward, whereas the east Asian clade was rooted in south central China. Our results indicate that the fragmentation of the six clades of Pica was related to climatic cooling and aridification during periods of the Pliocene–Pleistocene. Populations on both sides of the Eurasian continent were similarly influenced by the Pleistocene climate changes and expanded concomitantly with the expansion of steppes. Based on results we also propose a revised taxonomy recognising seven species of Pica.
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| 28. |
- Song, Gang, et al.
(författare)
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Great journey of Great Tits (Parus major group) : Origin, diversification and historical demographics of a broadly distributed bird lineage
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Biogeography. - : WILEY. - 0305-0270 .- 1365-2699. ; 47:7, s. 1585-1598
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim The Pleistocene glacial cycles play a prominent role in shaping phylogeographical patterns of organisms, while few studies have focused on the regional difference of glacial effects. By acquiring comprehensive knowledge of the origin, diversification and historical demography of an intensively studied passerine species complex, Great Tit, we aim to test the regional variation of the Late Pleistocene glaciation impacts on this widely distributed bird lineage. Location Eurasia and associated peninsulas and archipelagos. Taxa Parus major species complex. Methods Phylogeny, divergence times and demographic dynamics were estimated with Bayesian methods. Population structure, genetic diversity and correlation between genetic and physical distances were estimated based on mtDNA variation. Glacial-to-present distributional changes were assessed via ecological niche modelling (ENM). Results Five major clades (Central Asia, Eastern Asia, Eastern Himalaya, Northern and Western Eurasia and Southern Asia) were detected, with divergence times ranging 1.57-0.50 million years ago. Genetic diversity values and Bayesian skyline plots suggest that the three eastern clades had a deeper population history. A more complex geographic structure was observed in East Asia. Demographic expansion during the last glacial cycle was indicated for all five clades. ENM results showed broad conservatism of traits related to climate tolerances, and generally broader and more continuous distributional patterns under glacial conditions. Main Conclusions The Great Tit complex probably originated in Southeast Asia. Geographic barriers, such as the deserts of Central Asia and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau appear to be related to the lineage divergence. Late Pleistocene climate cycles influenced both demographic dynamics and divergence, especially in terms of east-west differences in relation to geographic complexity.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
- Zhang, Dezhi, et al.
(författare)
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Genomic differentiation and patterns of gene flow between two long-tailed tit species (Aegithalos)
- 2017
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Ingår i: Molecular Ecology. - : WILEY. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 26:23, s. 6654-6665
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Patterns of heterogeneous genomic differentiation have been well documented between closely related species, with some highly differentiated genomic regions (genomic differentiation islands) spread throughout the genome. Differential levels of gene flow are proposed to account for this pattern, as genomic differentiation islands are suggested to be resistant to gene flow. Recent studies have also suggested that genomic differentiation islands could be explained by linked selection acting on genomic regions with low recombination rates. Here, we investigate genomic differentiation and gene-flow patterns for autosomes using RAD-seq data between two closely related species of long-tailed tits (Aegithalos bonvaloti and A.fuliginosus) in both allopatric and contact zone populations. The results confirm recent or ongoing gene flow between these two species. However, there is little evidence that the genomic regions that were found to be highly differentiated between the contact zone populations are resistant to gene flow, suggesting that differential levels of gene flow is not the cause of the heterogeneous genomic differentiation. Linked selection may be the cause of genomic differentiation islands between the allopatric populations with no or very limited gene flow, but this could not account for the heterogeneous genomic differentiation between the contact zone populations, which show evidence of recent or ongoing gene flow.
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| 31. |
- Zhang, Dezhi, et al.
(författare)
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"Ghost Introgression" As a Cause of Deep Mitochondrial Divergence in a Bird Species Complex
- 2019
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Ingår i: Molecular biology and evolution. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0737-4038 .- 1537-1719. ; 36:11, s. 2375-2386
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the absence of nuclear-genomic differentiation between two populations, deep mitochondrial divergence (DMD) is a form of mito-nuclear discordance. Such instances of DMD are rare and might variably be explained by unusual cases of female-linked selection, by male-biased dispersal, by "speciation reversal" or by mitochondrial capture through genetic introgression. Here, we analyze DMD in an Asian Phylloscopus leaf warbler (Aves: Phylloscopidae) complex. Bioacoustic, morphological, and genomic data demonstrate close similarity between the taxa affinis and occisinensis, even though DMD previously led to their classification as two distinct species. Using population genomic and comparative genomic methods on 45 whole genomes, including historical reconstructions of effective population size, genomic peaks of differentiation and genomic linkage, we infer that the form affinis is likely the product of a westward expansion in which it replaced a now-extinct congener that was the donor of its mtDNA and small portions of its nuclear genome. This study provides strong evidence of "ghost introgression" as the cause of DMD, and we suggest that "ghost introgression" may be a widely overlooked phenomenon in nature.
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| 32. |
- Zhang, Dezhi, et al.
(författare)
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Most Genomic Loci Misrepresent the Phylogeny of an Avian Radiation Because of Ancient Gene Flow
- 2021
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Ingår i: Systematic Biology. - : Oxford University Press. - 1063-5157 .- 1076-836X. ; 70:5, s. 961-975
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Phylogenetic trees based on genome-wide sequence data may not always represent the true evolutionary history for a variety of reasons. One process that can lead to incorrect reconstruction of species phylogenies is gene flow, especially if interspecific gene flow has affected large parts of the genome. We investigated phylogenetic relationships within a clade comprising eight species of passerine birds (Phylloscopidae, Phylloscopus, leafwarblers) using one de novo genome assembly and 78 resequenced genomes. Onthe basis of hypothesis-exclusion trials based on D-statistics, phylogenetic network analysis, and demographic inference analysis, we identified ancient gene flow affecting large parts of the genome between one species and the ancestral lineage of a sister species pair. This ancient gene flow consistently caused erroneous reconstruction of the phylogeny when using large amounts of genome-wide sequence data. In contrast, the true relationships were captured when smaller parts of the genome were analyzed, showing that the "winner-takes-all democratic majority tree" is not necessarily the true species tree. Under this condition, smaller amounts of data may sometimes avoid the effects of gene flow due to stochastic sampling, as hidden reticulation histories are more likely to emerge from the use of larger data sets, especially whole-genome data sets. In addition, we also found that genomic regions affected by ancient gene flow generally exhibited higher genomic differentiation but a lower recombination rate and nucleotide diversity. Our study highlights the importance of considering reticulation in phylogenetic reconstructions in the genomic era.
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| 33. |
- Zhang, Dezhi, et al.
(författare)
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Phylogenetic Conflict Between Species Tree and Maternally Inherited Gene Trees in a Clade of Emberiza Buntings (Aves: Emberizidae)
- 2023
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Ingår i: SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY. - 1063-5157 .- 1076-836X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Different genomic regions may reflect conflicting phylogenetic topologies primarily due to incomplete lineage sorting and/or gene flow. Genomic data are necessary to reconstruct the true species tree and explore potential causes of phylogenetic conflict. Here, we investigate the phylogenetic relationships of 4 Emberiza species (Aves: Emberizidae) and discuss the potential causes of the observed mitochondrial non-monophyly of Emberiza godlewskii (Godlewski's bunting) using phylogenomic analyses based on whole genome resequencing data from 41 birds. Analyses based on both the whole mitochondrial genome and similar to 39 kilobases from the non-recombining W chromosome reveal sister relationships between each the northern and southern populations of E. godlewskii with E. cioides and E. cia, respectively. In contrast, the monophyly of E. godlewskii is reflected by the phylogenetic signal of autosomal and Z chromosomal sequence data as well as demographic inference analyses, which-in combination-support the following tree topology: ([{E. godlewskii, E. cia}, E. cioides], E. jankowskii). Using D-statistics, we detected multiple gene flow events among different lineages, indicating pervasive introgressive hybridization within this clade. Introgression from an unsampled lineage that is sister to E. cioides or introgression from an unsampled mitochondrial + W chromosomal lineage of E. cioides into northern E. godlewskii may explain the phylogenetic conflict between the species tree estimated from genome-wide data versus mtDNA/W tree topologies. These results underscore the importance of using genomic data for phylogenetic reconstruction and species delimitation.
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| 34. |
- Zhang, Ruiying, et al.
(författare)
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Comparative phylogeography of two widespread magpies : importance of habitat preference and breeding behavior on genetic structure in China.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 65:2, s. 562-72
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Historical geological events and climatic changes are believed to have played important roles in shaping the current distribution of species. However, sympatric species may have responded in different ways to such climatic fluctuations. Here we compared genetic structures of two corvid species, the Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus and the Eurasian Magpie Pica pica, both widespread but with different habitat dependence and some aspects of breeding behavior. Three mitochondrial genes and two nuclear introns were used to examine their co-distributed populations in East China and the Iberian Peninsula. Both species showed deep divergences between these two regions that were dated to the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene. In the East Chinese clade of C. cyanus, populations were subdivided between Northeast China and Central China, probably since the early to mid-Pleistocene, and the Central subclade showed a significant pattern of isolation by distance. In contrast, no genetic structure was found in the East China populations of P. pica. We suggest that the different patterns in the two species are at least partly explained by ecological differences between them, especially in habitat preference and perhaps also breeding behavior. These dissimilarities in life history traits might have affected the dispersal and survival abilities of these two species differently during environmental fluctuations.
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| 35. |
- Zhao, Min, et al.
(författare)
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Phylogenetic position of the Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Ornithology = Journal fur Ornithologie. - : SPRINGER. - 0021-8375 .- 1439-0361. ; 158:2, s. 629-630
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria is usually placed in a monotypic family or subfamily within the superfamily Certhioidea, with assumed close relationships to Certhia (treecreepers), Sitta (nuthatches) and Salpornis (spotted creepers). Previous studies have suggested that Tichodroma is most closely related to Sitta, alternatively to Salpornis. We analysed the relationships of Tichodroma using two mitochondrial and five nuclear loci. The tree based on concatenated sequences strongly supported a sister relationship between Tichodroma and Sitta, as well as between Salpornis and Certhia. However, species tree analysis (MP-EST) was unable to resolve these relationships, and although the concatenation tree remains the best hypothesis, more data are needed to corroborate this.
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| 36. |
- Zhao, Min, et al.
(författare)
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Phylogenetic relationships, song and distribution of the endangered Rufous-headed Robin Larvivora ruficeps
- 2017
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Ingår i: Ibis. - : Wiley. - 0019-1019 .- 1474-919X. ; 159:1, s. 204-216
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Rufous-headed Robin Larvivora ruficeps is one of the world's rarest and least known birds. We summarize the known records since it was first described in 1905 from Shaanxi Province, central China. All subsequent Chinese records are from seven adjacent localities in nearby Sichuan Province. We studied its phylogenetic position for the first time using mitochondrial and nuclear markers for all species of Larvivora and a broad selection of other species in the family Muscicapidae. Our results confirmed that L. ruficeps is appropriately placed in the genus Larvivora, and suggested that it is sister to the Rufous-tailed Robin Larvivora sibilans, with these two forming a sister clade to a clade comprising both the Japanese Robin Larvivora akahige and Ryukyu Robin Larvivora komadori. Siberian Blue Robin Larvivora cyane and Indian Blue Robin Larvivora brunnea form the sister clade to the other Larvivora species. In contrast, song analyses indicated that the song of L. ruficeps is most similar to that of L. komadori, whereas the song of L. sibilans is relatively more similar to that of L. akahige, and songs of L. cyane and L. brunnea closely resemble each other. We used ecological niche modelling to estimate the suitable habitats of L. ruficeps based on the records from breeding grounds, suggesting that north and central Sichuan, south Gansu, south Shaanxi and south-east Tibet are likely to contain the most suitable habitats for this species.
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