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- Garg, Kritika M., et al.
(author)
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When colors mislead : Genomics and bioacoustics prompt re-classification of Asian flycatcher radiation (Aves: Niltavinae)
- 2024
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In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. - : Elsevier. - 1055-7903 .- 1095-9513. ; 193
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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2. |
- Gwee, Chyi Yin, et al.
(author)
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Cryptic diversity in Cyornis (Ayes : Muscicapidae) jungle-flycatchers flagged by simple bioacoustic approaches
- 2019
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In: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0024-4082 .- 1096-3642. ; 186:3, s. 725-741
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite the ongoing taxonomic revolution incorporating multiple species delimitation methods, knowledge gaps persist in the taxonomy of comparatively well-studied animal groups such as birds. Morphologically cryptic species risk slipping under the conservation radar, as they get mistakenly united with other species. Here, we employed six to 11 vocal parameters of each population to examine the species delimitation of nine Cyornis jungle-flycatcher species complexes distributed across Asia. We found moderate to strong vocal evidence for the taxonomic elevation of ten cryptic Cyornis species. Additionally, we conducted mitochondrial and genome-wide SNP analyses for two of the Cyornis complexes to examine the effectiveness of bioacoustics as a tool for avian species delineation and found congruent results between vocal and molecular data. Therefore, we propose a taxonomic reclassification of the complicated Cyornis species complexes and recommend routine application of bioacoustics in avian taxonomic classification.
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3. |
- Kennedy, Jonathan D., et al.
(author)
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Diversification and community assembly of the world’s largest tropical island
- 2022
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In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. - : Wiley. - 1466-822X .- 1466-8238. ; 31:6, s. 1078-1089
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimThe species diversity and endemism of tropical biotas are major contributors to global biodiversity, but the factors underlying the formation of these systems remain poorly understood.LocationThe world's largest tropical island, New Guinea.Time periodMiocene to present.Major taxa studiedPasserine birds.MethodsWe first generated a species-level phylogeny of all native breeding passerine birds to analyse spatial and elevational patterns of species richness, species age and phylogenetic diversity. Second, we used an existing dataset on bill morphology to analyse spatial and elevational patterns of functional diversity.ResultsThe youngest New Guinean species are principally distributed in the lowlands and outlying mountain ranges, with the lowlands also maintaining the majority of non-endemic species. In contrast, many species occurring in the central mountain range are phylogenetically distinct, range-restricted, endemic lineages. Centres of accumulation for the oldest species are in montane forest, with these taxa having evolved unique bill forms in comparison to the remaining New Guinean species. For the morphological generalists, attaining a highland distribution does not necessarily represent the end to dispersal and diversification, because a number of new species have formed in the outlying mountain ranges, following recent colonization from the central range.Main conclusionsWe conclude that a general model of tropical montane diversification is that lineages commonly colonize the lowlands, shifting their ranges upslope through time to become range-restricted montane forest endemics, attaining novel functional adaptations to these environments.
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- Sodhi, Navjot S., et al.
(author)
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Barcoding Indo-Malayan birds
- 2007
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In: The Raffles bulletin of zoology. - 0217-2445. ; 55:2, s. 397-398
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)
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