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Islam S, Peart C, Kehlmaier C, Sun YH, Lei F, Dahl A, Klemroth S, Alexopoulou D, Del Mar Delgado M, Laiolo P, Carlos Illera J, Dirren S, Hille S, Lkhagvasuren D, Töpfer T, Kaiser M, Gebauer A, Martens J, Paetzold C, Päckert M. Museomics help resolving the phylogeny of snowfinches (Aves, Passeridae, Montifringilla and allies). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 198:108135. [PMID: 38925425 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Historical specimens from museum collections provide a valuable source of material also from remote areas or regions of conflict that are not easily accessible to scientists today. With this study, we are providing a taxon-complete phylogeny of snowfinches using historical DNA from whole skins of an endemic species from Afghanistan, the Afghan snowfinch, Pyrgilauda theresae. To resolve the strong conflict between previous phylogenetic hypotheses, we generated novel mitogenome sequences for selected taxa and genome-wide SNP data using ddRAD sequencing for all extant snowfinch species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and for an extended intraspecific sampling of the sole Central and Western Palearctic snowfinch species (Montifringilla nivalis). Our phylogenetic reconstructions unanimously refuted the previously suggested paraphyly of genus Pyrgilauda. Misplacement of one species-level taxon (Onychostruthus tazcanowskii) in previous snowfinch phylogenies was undoubtedly inferred from chimeric mitogenomes that included heterospecific sequence information. Furthermore, comparison of novel and previously generated sequence data showed that the presumed sister-group relationship between M. nivalis and the QTP endemic M. henrici was suggested based on flawed taxonomy. Our phylogenetic reconstructions based on genome-wide SNP data and on mitogenomes were largely congruent and supported reciprocal monophyly of genera Montifringilla and Pyrgilauda with monotypic Onychostruthus being sister to the latter. The Afghan endemic P. theresae likely originated from a rather ancient Pliocene out-of-Tibet dispersal probably from a common ancestor with P. ruficollis. Our extended trans-Palearctic sampling for the white-winged snowfinch, M. nivalis, confirmed strong lineage divergence between an Asian and a European clade dated to 1.5 - 2.7 million years ago (mya). Genome-wide SNP data suggested subtle divergence among European samples from the Alps and from the Cantabrian mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safiqul Islam
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany; Max Planck-Genome-Centre Cologne, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Carl-von-Linne-Weg 10, 50829 Köln, Germany; Division of Systematic Zoology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Claire Peart
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christian Kehlmaier
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany
| | - Yue-Hua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Andreas Dahl
- Dresden-Concept Genome Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 1307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sylvia Klemroth
- Dresden-Concept Genome Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 1307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dimitra Alexopoulou
- Dresden-Concept Genome Center, c/o Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 1307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Del Mar Delgado
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, Universidad de Oviedo, CSIC, Principality of Asturias) - Campus de Mieres, Edificio de Investigación - 5ª planta, C. Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Spain
| | - Paola Laiolo
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, Universidad de Oviedo, CSIC, Principality of Asturias) - Campus de Mieres, Edificio de Investigación - 5ª planta, C. Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Illera
- Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB, Universidad de Oviedo, CSIC, Principality of Asturias) - Campus de Mieres, Edificio de Investigación - 5ª planta, C. Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, 33600 Mieres, Spain
| | | | - Sabine Hille
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor Mendel-Strasse 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Davaa Lkhagvasuren
- Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, P.O.Box 46A-546, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia
| | - Till Töpfer
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - Jochen Martens
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE), Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Claudia Paetzold
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Päckert
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections, Museum of Zoology, Königsbrücker Landstraße 159, 01109 Dresden, Germany.
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Sangster G, Luksenburg JA. The published complete mitochondrial genome of Blue-fronted Redstart ( Phoenicurus frontalis) is a chimera and includes DNA from Pink-rumped Rosefinch Carpodacus waltoni eos (Aves: Passeriformes). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2024; 9:861-864. [PMID: 38983844 PMCID: PMC11232634 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2024.2377170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The complete mitochondrial genome of Blue-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis), GenBank accession number MT360379 (NC_053917), was published by Li and colleages in 2020. Here we show that this mitogenome is actually a chimera containing DNA fragments of both P. frontalis (15,518 bp, 92.5%) and Pink-rumped Rosefinch (Carpodacus waltoni eos, 1258 bp, 7.5%). This mitogenome has been re-used in at least three phylogenies. Our study confirms that mitogenomes are best verified with multiple gene trees, and that any anomalies should be investigated by direct comparison of sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jolanda A. Luksenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Sangster G, Luksenburg JA. Complete mitochondrial genome MK992912 of Great Knot ( Calidris tenuirostris) is a chimera with DNA from Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva (Aves: Charadriiformes). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2024; 9:532-535. [PMID: 38638190 PMCID: PMC11025405 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2024.2342932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A complete mitochondrial genome of Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris), MK992912, was published by He and colleagues in 2020. Here we show that this mitogenome is actually a chimera containing DNA fragments of both C. tenuirostris (15,567 bp, 92.8%) and Pacific Golden Plover (Pluvialis fulva, 1208 bp, 7.2%). Detecting such errors is possible before publication if each sequenced fragment is separately analyzed phylogenetically before assembling the fragments into a single mitogenome. This mitogenome has been re-used in at least four phylogenies. The error is documented to avoid the perpetuation of erroneous sequence information in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jolanda A. Luksenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Sangster G, Luksenburg JA. The published complete mitochondrial genome of Spotted Greenshank ( Tringa guttifer) is a chimera with DNA from Red-necked Stint ( Calidris ruficollis) (Aves: Charadriiformes). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2023; 8:1273-1275. [PMID: 38188446 PMCID: PMC10769514 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2023.2282791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
A recently published complete mitochondrial genome of Spotted Greenshank (Tringa guttifer) was the first DNA sequence of this species (GenBank accession number MK905885, RefSeq number NC_044665; Liu et al. 2019, The complete mitochondrial genome of the Spotted Greenshank Tringa guttifer (Charadriiforemes [sic]: Charadriidae), Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 4:2353-2354). Here we show that this mitogenome is actually a chimera containing DNA fragments of both a Tringa sandpiper (presumably T. guttifer) and the Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis). This mitogenome has been re-used in at least three phylogenies. The error is documented to avoid the perpetuation of erroneous sequence information in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jolanda A. Luksenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
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Sangster G, Luksenburg JA. The importance of voucher specimens: misidentification or previously unknown mtDNA diversity in Phalacrocorax capillatus (Aves: Phalacrocoracidae)? Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2023; 8:1158-1160. [PMID: 38188423 PMCID: PMC10769515 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2023.2274986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
A recently published complete mitochondrial genome of Japanese or Temminck's cormorant (Phalacrocorax capillatus) was the first of this species (GenBank accession number LC714913). Comparison of COI sequences shows that this mitogenome clustered with great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) rather than with its sister taxon P. capillatus. This suggests that the mitogenome was either a misidentified P. carbo or represents previously unknown intraspecific diversity in P. capillatus overlapping with that of P. carbo. Unfortunately, no voucher specimen was retained so it remains impossible to distinguish between these alternatives. We suggest that great restraint should be exercised using this mitogenome as a reference for P. capillatus. We reiterate previous pleas to retain voucher specimens for mitogenome sequences to enable re-analysis of the identity of the material.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jolanda A. Luksenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Sangster G, Luksenburg JA. Sharp Increase of Problematic Mitogenomes of Birds: Causes, Consequences, and Remedies. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evab210. [PMID: 34505894 PMCID: PMC8462277 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Authentic DNA sequences are crucial for reliable evolutionary inference. Concerns about the identification of DNA sequences have been voiced several times in the past but few quantitative studies exist. Mitogenomes play important roles in phylogenetics, phylogeography, population genetics, and DNA identification. However, the large number of mitogenomes being published routinely, often in brief data papers, has raised questions about their authenticity. In this study, we quantify problematic mitogenomes of birds and their reusage in other papers. Of 1,876 complete or partial mitogenomes of birds published until January 1, 2020, the authenticity of 1,559 could be assessed with sequences of conspecifics. Of these, 78 (5.0%) were found to be problematic, including 45 curated reference sequences. Problems were due to misidentification (33), chimeras of two or three species (23), sequencing errors/numts (18), incorrect sequence assembly (1), mislabeling at GenBank but not in the final paper (2), or vice versa (1). The number of problematic mitogenomes has increased sharply since 2012. Worryingly, these problematic sequences have been reused 436 times in other papers, including 385 times in phylogenies. No less than 53% of all mitogenomic phylogenies/networks published until January 1, 2020 included at least one problematic mitogenome. Problematic mitogenomes have resulted in incorrect phylogenetic hypotheses and proposals for unwarranted taxonomic revision, and may have compromised comparative analyses and measurements of divergence times. Our results indicate that a major upgrade of quality control measures is warranted. We propose a comprehensive set of measures that may serve as a new standard for publishing mitogenome sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Sangster
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jolanda A Luksenburg
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
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