Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 108246 - 108246
Published: Nov. 1, 2024
The
composition
of
Australia's
fauna
and
flora
has
been
largely
assembled
by
two
biogeographic
processes,
vicariance
long-distance
dispersal
establishment.
These
patterns
can
be
observed
today
through
the
survival
Gondwanan
lineages
contrasted
with
relatively
recent
colonization
from
south-east
Asia,
respectively.
In
general,
post-Gondwanan
immigrant
Asia
are
taxa
traits
that
facilitate
dispersal.
Consequently,
like
tarantulas
(Araneae,
Theraphosidae)
pan-tropical
but
also
have
a
low
propensity
for
dispersal,
thought
to
in
origin.
However,
Australian
unsampled
phylogenomic
studies
and,
as
such,
their
classification
origins
long
debated
unresolved.
Here
we
test
if
current,
morphology-based
Selenocosmiinae
is
accurate
assess
whether
were
present
Australia
while
it
was
part
Gondwana.
We
sample
369
tarantula
specimens
across
Australia,
greatly
expanding
geographic
sampling
previous
studies,
develop
first
continent-wide
phylogeny
tarantulas.
To
resolve
'back
bone'
generate
20
new
transcriptomes
species
representing
distinct
uncovered
using
mitochondrial
sequence
data
combine
these
published
transcriptomic
data.
Through
recovery
ultra-conserved
element
(UCE)
loci
testing
multiple
occupancy
matrices,
find
clade
monophyletic
nested
inside
Asian
Selenocosmiinae.
young
radiation
crown
age
8.3-18.8
Ma
therefore
reject
hypothesis
origin
animals
instead,
infer
Asia.
Our
findings
indicate
they
underwent
rapid
radiation,
possibly
coinciding
arrival
into
Australia.
refute
monophyly
Selenocosmia
Coremiocnemis
currently
recognised,
remove
stalkeri
synonymy
stirlingi.
Genome Biology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
15(3)
Published: Feb. 24, 2023
Birds
of
the
order
Passeriformes
represent
most
speciose
land
vertebrates.
Despite
strong
scientific
interest
in
this
super-radiation,
genetic
traits
unique
to
passerines
are
not
well
characterized.
A
duplicate
copy
growth
hormone
(GH)
is
only
gene
known
be
present
all
major
lineages
passerines,
but
other
birds.
GH
genes
plausibly
influence
extreme
life
history
that
exhibit,
including
shortest
embryo-to-fledging
developmental
period
any
avian
order.
To
unravel
implications
duplication,
we
investigated
molecular
evolution
ancestral
(GH
or
GH1)
and
novel
passerine
paralog
(GH2),
using
497
sequences
extracted
from
342
genomes.
Passerine
GH1
GH2
reciprocally
monophyletic,
consistent
with
a
single
duplication
event
microchromosome
onto
macrochromosome
common
ancestor
extant
passerines.
Additional
chromosomal
rearrangements
have
changed
syntenic
potential
regulatory
context
these
genes.
Both
display
substantially
higher
rates
nonsynonymous
codon
change
than
non-passerine
GH,
suggesting
positive
selection
following
duplication.
site
involved
signal
peptide
cleavage
under
both
paralogs.
Other
sites
differ
between
two
paralogs,
many
clustered
one
region
3D
model
protein.
paralogs
retain
key
functional
features
actively
differentially
expressed
suborders.
These
phenomena
suggest
may
evolving
adaptive
roles
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
199(1), P. 228 - 262
Published: May 25, 2023
Abstract
We
assembled
datasets
of
genetic
(genomic
ultraconserved
elements
[UCEs],
mtDNA)
and
phenotypic
(morphology,
voice)
characters
to
address
species
limits
taxonomy
in
the
slaty-backed
nightingale-thrush
Catharus
fuscater
(Passeriformes:
Turdidae),
a
polytypic
complex
songbirds
with
broad
montane
distribution
Central
South
America.
identified
10
allopatric
populations
that
have
been
evolving
independently
for
multiple
glacial
cycles.
Genetic
structure
is
broadly
correlated
divergence
characters,
including
plumage
colour,
iris
maxilla
(bill)
acoustic
vocalizations
(calls
songs).
propose
an
integrative
taxonomic
revision
recognizes
seven
complex,
newly
described
from
eastern
Panama,
four
subspecies,
which
two
are
described.
Ornithology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
140(3)
Published: May 14, 2023
Abstract
In
this
study,
we
infer
genus-level
relationships
within
shrikes
(Laniidae),
crows
(Corvidae),
and
their
allies
using
ultraconserved
elements
(UCEs).
We
confirm
previous
results
of
the
Crested
Shrikejay
(Platylophus
galericulatus)
as
comprising
its
own
taxonomic
family
find
strong
support
for
sister
relationship
to
laniid
shrikes.
also
that
African-endemic
genus
Eurocephalus,
which
comprises
two
allopatric
species
(E.
ruppelli
E.
anguitimens),
are
not
“true-shrikes.”
propose
elevating
white-crowned
family,
Eurocephalidae.
PLoS ONE,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
19(5), P. e0293715 - e0293715
Published: May 23, 2024
The
family
Melampittidae
is
endemic
to
New
Guinea
and
consists
of
two
monotypic
genera:
Melampitta
lugubris
(Lesser
Melampitta)
Megalampitta
gigantea
(Greater
Melampitta).
Both
species
have
scattered
disconnected
distributions
across
in
the
central
mountain
range
some
outlying
ranges.
While
M.
common
found
most
montane
regions
island,
gigantaea
elusive
known
from
only
six
localities
isolated
pockets
on
with
very
specific
habitats
limestone
sinkholes.
In
this
project,
we
apply
museomics
determine
population
structure
demographic
history
these
species.
We
re-sequenced
genomes
all
seven
samples
housed
museum
collections
as
well
24
its
distribution.
By
comparing
between
species,
investigate
what
extent
habitat
dependence,
such
,
may
affect
connectivity.
Phylogenetic
genomic
analyses,
acoustic
variation
revealed
that
a
single
contrast
shows
much
stronger
island.
suggest
recent
collapse
into
fragmented
an
explanation
unexpected
low
diversity
lack
structure.
deep
genetic
divergences
populations
Vogelkop
region,
western
eastern
range,
respectively,
suggests
three
should
be
elevated
full
level.
This
work
sheds
new
light
mechanisms
shaped
intriguing
distribution
within
prime
example
importance
for
studies
poorly
rare
