Avian Diversity: Speciation, Macroevolution, and Ecological Function

Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 51(1), P. 533 - 560

Published: Aug. 28, 2020

The origin, distribution, and function of biological diversity are fundamental themes ecology evolutionary biology. Research on birds has played a major role in the history development these ideas, yet progress was for many decades limited by focus patterns current diversity, often restricted to particular clades or regions. Deeper insight is now emerging from recent wave integrative studies combining comprehensive phylogenetic, environmental, functional trait data at unprecedented scales. We review empirical advances describe how they reshaping our understanding global bird processes which it arises, with implications avian biogeography ecology. Further expansion integration sets may help resolve longstanding debates about origins biodiversity offer framework predicting response ecosystems environmental change.

Language: Английский

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Phylogenomic and Macroevolutionary Evidence for an Explosive Radiation of a Plant Genus in the Miocene

Systematic Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 71(3), P. 589 - 609

Published: Aug. 9, 2021

Abstract Mountain systems harbor a substantial fraction of global biodiversity and, thus, provide excellent opportunities to study rapid diversification and understand the historical processes underlying assembly hotspots. The rich in mountains is widely regarded as having arisen under influence geological climatic well complex interactions among them. However, relative contribution geology climate driving species radiation seldom explored. Here, we studied evolutionary Oreocharis (Gesneriaceae), which has diversified extensively throughout East Asia, especially within Hengduan Mountains (HDM), using transcriptomic data time calibrated phylogeny for 88% (111/126) all genus. In particular, applied phylogenetic reconstructions evaluate extent incomplete lineage sorting accompanying early We then fit macroevolutionary models explore its spatial dynamics explicit birth–death investigate effects past environmental changes on diversification. Evidence from 574 orthologous loci suggest that underwent an impressive burst speciation starting ca. 12 Ma Miocene, followed by drastic decline toward present. Although found no evidence shift rate across Oreocharis, showed difference between HDM non-HDM lineages, with higher rates HDM. dynamic most likely positively associated temperature-dependent dependency Asian monsoons. warm humid mid-Miocene was probably primary driver while mountain building might have indirectly affected lineage. This highlights importance changes, combined building, creating strong heterogeneity plants, suggests cannot directly be attributed uplift, contrary many recent speculations.[East monsoons; heterogeneity; Mountains; sorting; Oreocharis; change; diversification; transcriptome.]

Language: Английский

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Wallacean and Melanesian Islands Promote Higher Rates of Diversification within the Global Passerine Radiation Corvides

Systematic Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 71(6), P. 1423 - 1439

Published: June 15, 2022

Abstract The complex island archipelagoes of Wallacea and Melanesia have provided empirical data behind integral theories in evolutionary biology, including allopatric speciation biogeography. Yet, questions regarding the relative impact layered biogeographic barriers, such as deep-water trenches isolated systems, on faunal diversification remain underexplored. One barrier is Wallace’s Line, a significant boundary that largely separates Australian Asian biodiversity. To assess roles barriers—specifically systems Line—we investigated tempo mode diverse avian radiation, Corvides (Crows Jays, Birds-of-paradise, Vangas, allies). We combined genus-level set thousands ultraconserved elements (UCEs) species-level, 12-gene Sanger sequence matrix to produce well-resolved supermatrix tree we leveraged explore group’s historical biogeography effects barriers their macroevolutionary dynamics. well resolved differs substantially from what has been used extensively for past comparative analyses within this group. confirmed Corvides, its major constituent clades, arose Australia burst dispersals west across Line occurred after uplift during mid-Miocene. found dispersal was generally rare, though westward were two times more frequent than eastward dispersals. Wallacea’s central position between Sundaland Sahul no doubt acted bridge island-hopping out Australia, colonize rest Earth. In addition, east harbor highest rates net are substantial source colonists continental both sides barrier. Our results support emerging evidence particularly geologically Indo-pacific, drivers species diversification. [Historical biogeography; Melanesia; molecular phylogenetics; state-dependent extinction.]

Language: Английский

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The Nanling Mountains of southern China played a variable role as a barrier and refuge for birds depending upon landscape structure and timing of events

Journal of Avian Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024(5-6)

Published: Jan. 11, 2024

The Nanling Mountains, an important mountain range and watershed in south China, harbor a wealth of relictual plant species, are considered ‘museum' subtropical biodiversity. With respect to birds, however, the roles Mountains impeding dispersal birds and, as result, shaping their population community structures have received little consideration. To examine these roles, we compiled analyzed two datasets. 1) test mountains' influence on gene flow, undertook comparative phylogeographic study comparing mitochondrial COI Cytb DNA sequences five sylvioid resident bird species mountains (Huet's fulvetta Alcippe hueti , red‐billed leiothrix Leiothrix lutea greater necklaced laughingthrush Pterorhinus pectoralis Indochinese yuhina Staphida torqueola bulbul Ixos mcclellandii ). 2) differential development over history modern examined distributional data all region using public occurrence records. For part 1), sampled 327 individuals from 36 sites conducted correlation analysis genetic geographic distances, taking into account landscape mountains. We found that do not seriously impede flow among populations but influenced differently. 2), 446 81 families indicated family membership composition region. Variation distributions is attributable both environmental evolutionary factors. Overall, currently substantial barrier studied act corridor refuge for birds. However, analyses higher ranked suggest acted older times, corresponding known diversification events southeast Asian avifauna.

Language: Английский

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“Into and Out of” the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau and the Himalayas: Centers of origin and diversification across five clades of Eurasian montane and alpine passerine birds

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(17), P. 9283 - 9300

Published: Aug. 4, 2020

Abstract Encompassing some of the major hotspots biodiversity on Earth, large mountain systems have long held attention evolutionary biologists. The region Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) is considered a biogeographic source for multiple colonization events into adjacent areas including northern Palearctic. faunal exchange between QTP and regions could thus represent one‐way street (“out of” QTP). However, immigration has so far received only little attention, despite its potential to shape floral communities QTP. In this study, we investigated centers origin dispersal routes QTP, forested margins five clades alpine montane birds passerine superfamily Passeroidea. We performed an ancestral area reconstruction using BioGeoBEARS inferred time‐calibrated backbone phylogeny 279 taxa oldest endemic species was dated early Miocene (ca. 20 Ma). Several additional endemics evolved in mid late (12–7 diversification our target matched “out Tibet hypothesis’ or Himalayas hypothesis” others they “into hypothesis.” Three radiations included independent Pleistocene as distant Western Palearctic Nearctic. conclude that bidirectional through time, harbored both immigration.

Language: Английский

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Joint effects of environmental filtering and dispersal limitation on the species assemblage of the Tibetan Plateau

Journal of Biogeography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 49(4), P. 640 - 653

Published: Feb. 24, 2022

Abstract Aim Mountains harbour a rich and non‐random cluster of species, yet knowledge the species' biological attributes that support their coexistence in montane community is limited. Here, we investigated association species occurrence on Tibetan Plateau with morphological, ecological or evolutionary constraints. Location (TP). Taxon Mammals birds. Methods We tested whether TP correlates constraints using spatial distribution, phylogeny, dispersal ability thermal niche property data for 1353 terrestrial vertebrates (383 mammals 970 birds). used standard (non‐phylogenetic) phylogenetic logistic regressions to elucidate relative contributions these explaining TP. assessed geographical patterns structures fitted linear mixed models explore underlying eco‐evolutionary forces. Results The exhibited higher cold tolerance, wider breadth rate evolution than non‐TP species. supported assumption were not random subset from pool, but structured jointly by environmental filtering limitation. While processes assemblages varied spatially among taxa, found stressful environments limited filtering, whereas limitation was more pronounced under favourable climatic conditions. Main conclusions Our study finds shape assemblage These findings provide significant insights into assembly other ecosystems Earth, especially those are sensitive global warming.

Language: Английский

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Scale-dependent dispersal drives community assembly of breeding birds along elevational gradients

Ecological Processes, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: March 27, 2025

Abstract Background Identifying the processes that govern community assembly along elevational gradients has been a central theme in ecology, especially montane ecosystems where abundant species and strong turnover are present. However, our understanding of how relative importance deterministic stochastic varies remains limited. Here, we compiled rigorously curated dataset distributions 734 breeding bird across Hengduan Mountains China to assess dominant underlying mechanisms at both intra-community inter-community scales four elevation zones: low, middle, subalpine, alpine. Results At scale, homogeneous dispersal played pivotal role driving birds Mountains. Deterministic became more influential with increasing elevation, whereas prevailed subalpine zones. assemblages from different zones were differentiated by limitation. Non-Passeriformes experienced obvious influence but less subject limitation compared Passeriformes. Conclusions Our findings highlight shaping biotic communities ecosystems, this effect is scale-dependent. The transition suggests environmental factors become higher elevations. Species ability may affect these two assembly.

Language: Английский

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The causes and ecological context of rapid morphological evolution in birds

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(3), P. 611 - 623

Published: Feb. 24, 2022

Episodic pulses in morphological diversification are a prominent feature of evolutionary history, driven by factors that remain widely disputed. Resolving this question has proved challenging because comprehensive species-level data generally unavailable at sufficient scale. Combining global phylogenetic and for birds, we show lineages traits tend to occur independently different contexts. Speciation preceded greater differentiation overall morphology habitat niche, then followed increased rates beak evolution. Contrary standard hypotheses, be associated with niche stability rather than adaptation diets types. These patterns suggest the timing varies across according their ecological function, evolution may when successful subdivide space within particular Our results highlight growing potential functional trait sets refine macroevolutionary models.

Language: Английский

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Landscape Heterogeneity Explains the Genetic Differentiation of a Forest Bird across the Sino-Himalayan Mountains

Molecular Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 41(3)

Published: Feb. 6, 2024

Abstract Mountains are the world's most important centers of biodiversity. The Sino-Himalayan global biodiversity hotspot due to their extremely high species richness and endemicity. Ample research investigated impact Qinghai–Tibet Plateau uplift Quaternary glaciations in driving diversification plants animals across Mountains. However, little is known about role landscape heterogeneity other environmental features this region. We utilized whole genomes phenotypic data combination with genetic approaches investigate population structure, demography, diversity a forest songbird native Mountains, red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea). identified 5 phylogeographic clades, including 1 East China, Yunnan, 3 Tibet, roughly consistent differences song plumage coloration but incongruent traditional subspecies boundaries. Isolation-by-resistance model best explained differentiation within L. lutea, extensive secondary contact after allopatric isolation leading admixture among clades. Ecological niche modeling indicated relative stability extent suitable distribution areas glacial cycles. Our results underscore importance mountains species, given that distinct clades concentrated relatively small area Mountain region, while single shallow clade populates vast lower-lying east. This study highlights crucial promoting provides deep genomic perspective on mechanisms through which hotspots form.

Language: Английский

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Cryptic species in a colorful genus: Integrative taxonomy of the bush robins (Aves, Muscicapidae, Tarsiger) suggests two overlooked species

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 175, P. 107580 - 107580

Published: July 8, 2022

Several cryptic avian species have been validated by recent integrative taxonomic efforts in the Sino-Himalayan mountains, indicating that diversity this global biodiversity hotspot may be underestimated. In present study, we investigated limits genus Tarsiger, bush robins, a group of montane forest specialists with high richness region. Based on comprehensive sampling all 11 subspecies six currently recognized species, applied an approach combining multilocus, acoustic, plumage and morphometric analyses. Our results reveal isolated north-central Chinese populations Tarsiger cyanurus, described as albocoeruleus but usually considered invalid, is distinctive genetics vocalisation, only marginally differentiated morphology. We also found Taiwan endemic T. indicus formosanus to genetics, song morphology from i. yunnanensis mountains. Moreover, Bayesian delimitation using BPP suggests both merit full status. propose their treatment 'Qilian Bluetail' 'Taiwan Bush Robin' formosanus, respectively.

Language: Английский

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