Rapid speciation via the evolution of pre-mating isolation in the Iberá Seedeater

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 371 (6536) ◽  
pp. eabc0256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheela P. Turbek ◽  
Melanie Browne ◽  
Adrián S. Di Giacomo ◽  
Cecilia Kopuchian ◽  
Wesley M. Hochachka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Recognition ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Sexual Signals ◽  
Rapid Radiation ◽  
Behavioral Isolation ◽  
Rapid Speciation ◽  
Ecological Barriers ◽  
Male Plumage ◽  
Genomic Regions

Behavioral isolation can catalyze speciation and permit the slow accumulation of additional reproductive barriers between co-occurring organisms. We illustrate how this process occurs by examining the genomic and behavioral bases of pre-mating isolation between two bird species (Sporophila hypoxantha and the recently discovered S. iberaensis) that belong to the southern capuchino seedeaters, a recent, rapid radiation characterized by variation in male plumage coloration and song. Although these two species co-occur without obvious ecological barriers to reproduction, we document behaviors indicating species recognition by song and plumage traits and strong assortative mating associated with genomic regions underlying male plumage patterning. Plumage differentiation likely originated through the reassembly of standing genetic variation, indicating how novel sexual signals may quickly arise and maintain species boundaries.

scholarly journals Morphologically cryptic Amazonian bird species pairs exhibit strong postzygotic reproductive isolation

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1874) ◽  
pp. 20172081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Pulido-Santacruz ◽  
Alexandre Aleixo ◽  
Jason T. Weir
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Hybrid Index ◽  
Postzygotic Isolation ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Species Pairs ◽  
Hybrid Classes

We possess limited understanding of how speciation unfolds in the most species-rich region of the planet—the Amazon basin. Hybrid zones provide valuable information on the evolution of reproductive isolation, but few studies of Amazonian vertebrate hybrid zones have rigorously examined the genome-wide underpinnings of reproductive isolation. We used genome-wide genetic datasets to show that two deeply diverged, but morphologically cryptic sister species of forest understorey birds show little evidence for prezygotic reproductive isolation, but substantial postzygotic isolation. Patterns of heterozygosity and hybrid index revealed that hybrid classes with heavily recombined genomes are rare and closely match simulations with high levels of selection against hybrids. Genomic and geographical clines exhibit a remarkable similarity across loci in cline centres, and have exceptionally narrow cline widths, suggesting that postzygotic isolation is driven by genetic incompatibilities at many loci, rather than a few loci of strong effect. We propose Amazonian understorey forest birds speciate slowly via gradual accumulation of postzygotic genetic incompatibilities, with prezygotic barriers playing a less important role. Our results suggest old, cryptic Amazonian taxa classified as subspecies could have substantial postzygotic isolation deserving species recognition and that species richness is likely to be substantially underestimated in Amazonia.

Towards the Automatic Acoustical Avian Monitoring System

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 17-38
Author(s):  
Robert Wielgat ◽  
Daniel Król ◽  
Tomasz Potempa ◽  
Paweł Kozioł ◽  
Agnieszka Lisowska-Lis
Keyword(s):  
Computer Program ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Power Supply ◽  
Data Transmission ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Wireless Data ◽  
Bird Population ◽  
Wireless Data Transmission

One of the crucial aspects of the environmental protection is continuous monitoring of environment. Specific aspect is estimation of the bird species population. It is particularly important for bird species being in danger of extinction. Avian monitoring programs are time and money consuming actions which usually base on terrain expeditions. Certain remedy for this can be automatic acoustical avian monitoring system, described in the paper. Main components of the designed system are: digital audio recorder for bird voices acquisition, computer program automatically recognizing bird species by its signals emitted (voices or others) and object-relational database accessed via the Internet. Optional system components can be: digital camera and camcorder, bird attracting device, wireless data transmission module, power supply with solar panel, portable weather station. The system records bird voices and sends the recordings to the database. Recorded bird voices can be also provoked by the attracting device. Application of wireless data transmission module and power supply with solar panel allows long term operation of digital sound recorder in a hard accessible terrain. Recorded bird voices are analysed by the computer program and labelled with the automatically recognized bird species. Recognition accuracy of the program can be optionally enhanced by an expert system. Besides of labelled sound recordings, database can store also many other information like: photos and films accompanying recorded bird voices/ sounds, information about localization of observation/ recordings (GPS position, description of a place of an observation), information about bird features and behaviour, meteorological information, etc. Database on the base of geographical/ geological digital maps can generate actual maps of bird population (presence, number of individuals of each species). Moreover data-base can trigger alerts in case of rapidly decreasing bird population. It is also possible to obtain new knowledge about bird species with data mining methods. The paper presents collected data on observed bird species (audio recordings, photos and films) as well as results of experiments testing particular components of the automatic acoustical avian monitoring system.

The secretarybird dilemma: identifying a bird species fromthe Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-116
Author(s):  
Kamila Braulińska
Keyword(s):  
Personal Experience ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Doctoral Dissertation ◽  
Scientific Discourse ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Background Material ◽  
The Temple

Known from a few representations in Predynastic Egyptian art, the secretarybird has otherwise been elusive, in the art of Pharaonic Egypt as well as the scientific discourse on iconographic imagery of birds in ancient Egypt. The author's studies of the animal decoration at the Temple for her doctoral dissertation identified three images of birds belonging most likely to the same species, depicted in the context of the expedition of Hatshepsut shown in the Portico of Punt. The zoological identification of the species as the secretarybird (another possibility is the African harrier-hawk) derives from an in-depth analysis of the bird’s systematics, appearance, distribution and habitat, as well as behavior, which are essential for proper species recognition and instrumental for understanding the rationale behind bringing it from the “God’s Land”. Iconographic features contesting this identification and suggesting a different species, that is, the African harrier-hawk, are discussed based on a combination of theoretical background, material analysis, on-site interviews with experts and the author’s personal experience with the species.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document