Convergent evolution of ‘creepers’ in the Hawaiian honeycreeper radiation

Natural selection plays a fundamental role in the ecological theory of adaptive radiation. A prediction of this theory is the convergent evolution of traits in lineages experiencing similar environments. The Hawaiian honeycreepers are a spectacular example of adaptive radiation and may demonstrate convergence, but uncertainty about phylogenetic relationships within the group has made it difficult to assess such evolutionary patterns. We examine the phylogenetic relationships of the Hawaii creeper ( Oreomystis mana ), a bird that in a suite of morphological, ecological and behavioural traits closely resembles the Kauai creeper ( Oreomystis bairdi ), but whose mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and osteology suggest a relationship with the amakihis ( Hemignathus in part) and akepas ( Loxops ). We analysed nuclear DNA sequence data from 11 relevant honeycreeper taxa and one outgroup to test whether the character contradiction results from historical hybridization and mtDNA introgression, or convergent evolution. We found no evidence of past hybridization, a phenomenon that remains undocumented in Hawaiian honeycreepers, and confirmed mtDNA and osteological evidence that the Hawaii creeper is most closely related to the amakihis and akepas. Thus, the morphological, ecological and behavioural similarities between the evolutionarily distant Hawaii and Kauai creepers represent an extreme example of convergent evolution and demonstrate how natural selection can lead to repeatable evolutionary outcomes.

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Phylogenetic relationships of the bulbuls (Aves: Pycnonotidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.ympev.2006.04.015 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 687-695 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Robert G. Moyle ◽

Ben D. Marks

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequence ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Dna Sequence Data

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Phylogenetic relationships in the southern African genus Drosanthemum (Ruschioideae, Aizoaceae)

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.8999 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e8999

Author(s):

Sigrid Liede-Schumann ◽

Guido W. Grimm ◽

Nicolai M. Nürk ◽

Alastair J. Potts ◽

Ulrich Meve ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Cape Floristic Region ◽

Rapid Radiation ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Dna Sequence Data ◽

Phylogenetic Affinities ◽

African Genus

Background Drosanthemum, the only genus of the tribe Drosanthemeae, is widespread over the Greater Cape Floristic Region in southern Africa. With 114 recognized species, Drosanthemum, together with the highly succulent and species-rich tribe Ruschieae, constitute the ‘core ruschioids’ in Aizoaceae. Within Drosanthemum, nine subgenera have been described based on flower and fruit morphology. Their phylogenetic relationships, however, have not yet been investigated, hampering understanding of monophyletic entities and patterns of geographic distribution. Methods Using chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequence data, we performed network- and tree-based phylogenetic analyses of 73 species of Drosanthemum with multiple accessions for widespread species. A well-curated, geo-referenced occurrence dataset comprising the 134 genetically analysed and 863 further accessions was used to describe the distributional ranges of intrageneric lineages and the genus as a whole. Results Phylogenetic inference supports nine clades within Drosanthemum, seven of which group in two major clades, while the remaining two show ambiguous affinities. The nine clades are generally congruent to previously described subgenera within Drosanthemum, with exceptions such as cryptic species. In-depth analyses of sequence patterns in each gene region were used to reveal phylogenetic affinities inside the retrieved clades in more detail. We observe a complex distribution pattern including widespread, species-rich clades expanding into arid habitats of the interior (subgenera Drosanthemum p.p., Vespertina, Xamera) that are genetically and morphologically diverse. In contrast, less species-rich, genetically less divergent, and morphologically unique lineages are restricted to the central Cape region and more mesic conditions (Decidua, Necopina, Ossicula, Quastea, Quadrata, Speciosa). Our results suggest that the main lineages arose from an initial rapid radiation, with subsequent diversification in some clades.

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Phylogenetic relationships in the southern African genus Drosanthemum (Ruschioideae, Aizoaceae)

10.1101/824623 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sigrid Liede-Schumann ◽

Guido W. Grimm ◽

Nicolai M. Nürk ◽

Alastair J. Potts ◽

Ulrich Meve ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Cape Floristic Region ◽

Rapid Radiation ◽

Data Set ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Dna Sequence Data ◽

Phylogenetic Affinities

AbstractBackgroundDrosanthemum, the only genus of the tribe Drosanthemeae, is widespread over the Greater Cape Floristic Region in southern Africa. With 114 recognized species, Drosanthemum together with the highly succulent and species-rich tribe Ruschieae constitute the ‘core ruschioids’ in Aizoaceae. Within Drosanthemum, nine subgenera have been described based on flower and fruit morphology. Their phylogenetic relationships, however, have not yet been investigated, hampering understanding of monophyletic entities and patterns of geographic distribution.MethodsUsing chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequence data, we performed network- and tree-based phylogenetic analyses of 73 species represented by multiple accessions of Drosanthemum. A well-curated, geo-referenced occurrence data set comprising the phylogenetically studied and 867 further accessions was used to describe the distributional ranges of intrageneric lineages and the genus as a whole.ResultsPhylogenetic inference supports nine clades within Drosanthemum, seven of them group in two major clades, while the remaining two show ambiguous affinities. The nine clades are generally congruent to previously described subgenera within Drosanthemum, with exceptions such as (pseudo-) cryptic species. In-depth analyses of sequence patterns in each gene region revealed phylogenetic affinities not obvious in the phylogenetic tree. We observe a complex distribution pattern including widespread, species-rich clades expanding into arid habitats of the interior (subgenera Drosanthemum p.p., Vespertina, Xamera) that are molecular and morphologically diverse. In contrast, less species-rich, molecularly less divergent, and morphologically unique lineages are restricted to the central Cape region and more mesic conditions (Decidua, Necopina, Ossicula, Quastea, Quadrata, Speciosa). Our results suggest initial rapid radiation generating the main lineages, with some clades showing subsequent diversification.

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Phylogenetic relationships of Sardinian cave salamanders, genus Hydromantes, based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.ympev.2008.12.011 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 399-404 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Arie van der Meijden ◽

Ylenia Chiari ◽

Mauro Mucedda ◽

Salvador Carranza ◽

Claudia Corti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequence ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Dna Sequence Data

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Phylogenetic relationships and generic delimitation in subtribe Arctotidinae (Asteraceae: Arctotideae) inferred by DNA sequence data from ITS and five chloroplast regions

American Journal of Botany ◽

10.3732/ajb.93.8.1222 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 93 (8) ◽

pp. 1222-1235 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

R. J. McKenzie ◽

E. M. Muller ◽

A. K. W. Skinner ◽

P. O. Karis ◽

N. P. Barker

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequence ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Generic Delimitation ◽

Dna Sequence Data

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Phylogenetic relationships in subfamily Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae) based on DNA sequence data from seven plastid regions

American Journal of Botany ◽

10.3732/ajb.92.2.337 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 92 (2) ◽

pp. 337-351 ◽

Cited By ~ 101

Author(s):

M. H. J. Barfuss ◽

R. Samuel ◽

W. Till ◽

T. F. Stuessy

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequence ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Dna Sequence Data

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Phylogeny, taxonomy, and zoogeography of the genus Gekko Laurenti, 1768 with the revalidation of G. reevesii Gray, 1831 (Sauria: Gekkonidae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2989.1.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2989 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

HERBERT RÖSLER ◽

AARON M. BAUER ◽

MATTHEW P. HEINICKE ◽

ELI GREENBAUM ◽

TODD JACKMAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequence ◽

Molecular Phylogenetics ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Identification Key ◽

Dna Sequence Data ◽

Preliminary Identification ◽

Specific Rank ◽

Species Groups

A review of the taxonomy, phylogeny, and zoogeography of all currently recognized Gekko species is provided based on morphology (including size, scalation, color, and pattern) and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data. We distinguish six morphological (phenotypic) species groups within the gekkonid genus Gekko: the G. gecko, G. japonicus, G. monarchus, G. petricolus, G. porosus, and G. vittatus groups, all of which receive support from molecular phylogenetics. The taxon G. reevesii, formerly evaluated as a synonym of G. gekko, is revalidated herein at specific rank. Furthermore, a preliminary identification key of all currently recognized Gekko taxa is provided.

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New genetic lineages within Moroccan day geckos Quedenfeldtia (Sphaerodactylidae) revealed by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/15685381-00003088 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 97-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David James Harris ◽

Daniela Rosado ◽

Raquel Xavier ◽

Daniele Salvi

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Dna ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Substantial Portion ◽

Genetic Lineages ◽

Mountainous Regions ◽

Dna Sequence Data ◽

Atlas Mountains ◽

Morphological Assessment

The genus Quedenfeldtia is composed of two species, Q. moerens and Q. trachyblepharus, both endemic to the Atlas Mountains region of Morocco. Previous studies recovered two main genetic lineages within each Quedenfeldtia species, although sampling did not cover a substantial portion of their known distribution. In this study we collected individuals from previously unsampled localities of Quedenfeldtia and carried out genetic analyses in order to assess the range of previously identified lineages and the occurrence of additional lineages. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on both mitochondrial (12S and ND4 + tRNA) and nuclear (MC1R) markers revealed that while the new individuals of Q. moerens belong to previously described lineages, two new lineages of Q. trachyblepharus were uncovered from the northern and southern parts of the range. Genetic divergence of these new lineages (8-9% ND4 + tRNA p-distance) was higher than values observed between other lizard sister species. In the future a thorough morphological assessment is needed to complement this study and allow a taxonomic revision of these taxa. The results of this study highlight the importance of biodiversity assessments in mountainous regions characterized by high endemicity but which are difficult to access.

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