Genomic data reveal that the Cuban blue-headed quail-dove ( Starnoenas cyanocephala ) is a biogeographic relict

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Islands are well known for their unique biodiversity and significance in evolutionary ecological studies. Nevertheless, the extinction of island species accounts most human-caused extinctions recent time scales, which have accelerated centuries. Pigeons doves (Columbidae) noteworthy high number endemics, as risks those faced since human arrival. On Caribbean islands, no other columbid has generated more phylogenetic interest uncertainty than blue-headed quail-dove, Starnoenas cyanocephala . This endangered Cuban endemic been considered similar, both behaviourally phenotypically, to Australasian geographically closer ‘quail-dove’ ( Geotrygon s.l.) Western Hemisphere. Here, we use whole genome sequencing from newly sequenced columbids combination with sequence data previous publications investigate its relationships. Phylogenomic analyses, represent 35 51 genera currently comprising Columbidae, reveal that quail-dove is sole representative a lineage diverging early radiation columbids. sister species-rich subfamily Columbinae, found worldwide. As highly distinctive lacking close modern relatives, recommend elevating conservation priority

Language: Английский

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The island syndrome in birds

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 51(9), P. 1607 - 1622

Published: Sept. 16, 2023

Abstract The island syndrome is a widespread biological phenomenon that describes suite of morphological, behavioural, demographic and life‐history changes associated with dwelling. These similar evolutionary responses among disparate groups animals plants represent remarkable case convergent evolution. Among animals, birds are highly suitable group to study the syndrome; they comparatively data‐rich taxon, frequent colonisers, sometimes display extreme adaptations such as loss flight. However, avian literature fragmented, multiple components rarely considered together even though many inextricably linked. We reviewed multi‐species comparative studies, single‐species or population‐level studies anecdotal accounts, summarise assess support for individual birds, identify suites traits should be together. weight evidence patterns in morphology substantial, but more partial various aspects behaviour, life history physiology. Full validation will require less‐studied treated framework, covarying examined an integrated way. An improved description scope pave way understanding its drivers.

Language: Английский

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Colonial Legacies Influence Biodiversity Lessons: How Past Trade Routes and Power Dynamics Shape Present-Day Scientific Research and Professional Opportunities for Caribbean Scientists

The American Naturalist, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 200(1), P. 140 - 155

Published: March 29, 2022

Scientists recognize the Caribbean archipelago as a biodiversity hotspot and employ it for their research natural laboratory. Yet they do not always appreciate that these ecosystems are in fact palimpsests shaped by multiple human cultures over millennia. Although post-European anthropogenic impacts well documented, influx into region began about 5,000 years prior. Thus, inferences of ecological evolutionary processes within may represent artifacts an unrecognized legacy linked to issues influenced centuries colonial rule. The threats posed stochastic anthropogenically disasters demand we have understanding history endemic species if halt extinctions maintain access traditional livelihoods. However, systematic significantly biased our biological knowledge Caribbean. We discuss two case studies Caribbean's fragmented collections effects differing governance region's nation states. identify gaps highlight dire need integrated accessible inventorying collections. Research emphasizing local international collaboration can lead positive steps forward will ultimately help us more accurately study generated it.

Language: Английский

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Changes in parrot diversity after human arrival to the Caribbean

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(41)

Published: Sept. 25, 2023

Humans did not arrive on most of the world’s islands until relatively recently, making favorable places for disentangling timing and magnitude natural anthropogenic impacts species diversity distributions. Here, we focus Amazona parrots in Caribbean, which have close relationships with humans (e.g., as pets well sources meat colorful feathers). Caribbean also substantial fossil archaeological records that span Holocene. We leverage this exemplary record to showcase how combining ancient modern DNA, along radiometric dating, can shed light diversification extinction dynamics answer long-standing questions about human region. Our results reveal a striking loss parrot diversity, much took place during occupation islands. The widespread species, Cuban Parrot, exhibits interisland divergences throughout Pleistocene. Within radiation, identified an extinct, genetically distinct lineage survived Turks Caicos Indigenous settlement found narrowly distributed Hispaniolan Parrot had range once included Bahamas; it thus became “endemic” Hispaniola late likely was introduced by people Grand Turk Montserrat, two where is now extirpated. research demonstrates genetic information spanning paleontological, archaeological, contexts essential understand role altering distribution biota.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary history of New World crakes (Aves: Rallidae) with emphasis on the tribe Laterallini

Zoologica Scripta, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 52(4), P. 394 - 412

Published: April 7, 2023

Abstract New World crakes are intriguing, poorly known birds with cursorial cryptic habits; they belong to two unrelated tribes: Laterallini and Pardirallini. Recent genetic studies contributed the phylogenetic knowledge of these tribes, but a complete reconstruction is still missing. Here, we present most taxonomically dated gene‐based phylogeny crakes, an emphasis on Laterallini, including for first time sequences Coturnicops notatus , Laterallus levraudi L. jamaicensis tuerosi xenopterus . We used multilocus (mtDNA + nucDNA) analyses interpreted our results in light natural history group. Our novel show that: (1) sister leucopyrrhus ; (2) j. spilonota (3) C. clade that groups remaining black ( tuerosi, rogersi spilopterus ); (4) melanophaius conform recently diverged clade. Thus, indicate polyphyly this group, particularly and, time, some discrepancies previous stem from misidentified samples or Anurolimnas fasciatus. Finally, provide new preliminary insights into species limits taxa, specifically set stage integrative taxonomic assessments at generic level by incorporating (gene‐based) data.

Language: Английский

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Zooarchaeology of Managed, Captive, Tame, and Domestic Birds: Shifts in Human–Avian Relationships

Journal of Archaeological Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

In this paper, I review archaeological evidence for shifting human-avian interactions. Many species of birds, altering their behavior in response to anthropogenic niche construction, experienced an increased encounter rate with humans. Intensification relationship led management and domestication some taxa. An examination the methods zooarchaeologists employ study changing interaction illustrates limitations evidence. Art history, architecture, historical sources, based on modern distributions, DNA analysis fill gaps our knowledge. It is necessary develop novel investigate earlier history bird-human We also need consider other taxa behaviorally amenable domestication, as there was probably a diverse array past human-bird relationships that remain unknown. Archaeologically, between people birds fundamental understanding many symbolic economic practices central human societies. This highlights varied humans globally allowing cross-regional examination.

Language: Английский

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The phylogenetic relationships of the Dodo ( Raphus cucullatus ) and the Solitaire ( Pezophaps solitaria ) within Columbidae (Aves: Columbiformes), including other large extinct taxa, based on morphological data

Historical Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 16

Published: March 25, 2025

Language: Английский

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Phylogeny based on ultra-conserved elements clarifies the evolution of rails and allies (Ralloidea) and is the basis for a revised classification

Ornithology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 138(4)

Published: July 16, 2021

Abstract The rails (Family Rallidae) are the most diverse and widespread group in Gruiformes. Their extensive fossil history, global geographic distribution, tendency to rapidly evolve flightless species on islands make them an attractive subject of evolutionary studies, but rarity modern museum specimens so many rail has, until recently, limited scope molecular phylogenetics studies. As a result, classification remains one unsettled among major bird radiations. We extracted DNA from 82 species, including 27 study skins collected as long ago 1875, generated nucleotide sequences thousands homologous ultra-conserved elements (UCEs). Our phylogenetic analyses, using both concatenation multispecies coalescent approaches, resulted well-supported highly congruent phylogenies that resolve lineages reveal several currently recognized genera be polyphyletic. A fossil-calibrated time tree is well-resolved supports hypothesis split into 2 (subfamilies Himantornithinae Rallinae) ~34 mya, clade age estimates have wide confidence intervals. results, combined with results other recently published phylogenomics studies Gruiformes, form basis for proposed Rallidae recognizes 40 9 tribes.

Language: Английский

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Ancient DNA confirms diverse origins of early post-Columbian cattle in the Americas

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Aug. 1, 2023

Abstract Before the arrival of Europeans, domestic cattle ( Bos taurus ) did not exist in Americas, and most our knowledge about how bovines first arrived Western Hemisphere is based on historical documents. Sixteenth-century colonial accounts suggest that were brought small numbers from southern Iberian Peninsula via Canary archipelago to Caribbean islands where they bred locally imported other circum-Caribbean regions. Modern American heritage genetics limited ancient mtDNA data archaeological a more complex story mixed ancestries Europe Africa. So far little information exists understand nature timing these mixed-ancestry populations. In this study we combine mitochondrial nuclear DNA robust sample some earliest specimens Mesoamerican sites clarify origins dynamics bovine introduction into Americas. Our analyses support diverse locales potentially confirm early African-sourced followed by waves later introductions various sources over several centuries.

Language: Английский

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A Critical Assessment of the Congruency between Environmental DNA and Palaeoecology for the Biodiversity Monitoring and Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 19(15), P. 9445 - 9445

Published: Aug. 1, 2022

The present study suggests that standardized methodology, careful site selection, and stratigraphy are essential for investigating ancient ecosystems in order to evaluate biodiversity DNA-based time series. Based on specific keywords, this investigation reviewed 146 publications using the SCOPUS, Web of Science (WoS), PUBMED, Google Scholar databases. Results indicate environmental deoxyribose nucleic acid (eDNA) can be pivotal assessing conserving ecosystems. Our review revealed last 12 years (January 2008–July 2021), 63% studies based eDNA have been reported from aquatic ecosystems, 25% marine habitats, 12% terrestrial environments. Out conducted systems DNA technique, investigations freshwater with an utmost focus fish diversity (40%). Further analysis literature reveals during same period, 24% technique were carried out invertebrates, 8% mammals, 7% plants, 6% reptiles, 5% birds. results obtained clearly has a clear-cut edge over other monitoring methods. Furthermore, we also found eDNA, conjunction different dating techniques, provide better insight into deciphering eco-evolutionary feedback. Therefore, attempt made offer extensive information application methods taxa diverse Last, suggestions elucidations how overcome caveats delineate some research avenues will likely shape field near future. This paper aims identify gaps help researchers, ecologists, decision-makers develop holistic understanding its utility as palaeoenvironmental contrivance.

Language: Английский

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