1
|
Zhou L, Mammides C, Chen Y, Zhou W, Dai W, Braun EL, Kimball RT, Liu Y, Robinson SK, Goodale E. High association strengths are linked to phenotypic similarity, including plumage color and patterns, of participants in mixed-species bird flocks of southwestern China. Curr Zool 2024; 70:34-44. [PMID: 38476134 PMCID: PMC10926261 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Participants in mixed-species bird flocks (MSFs) have been shown to associate with species that are similar in body size, diet, and evolutionary history, suggesting that facilitation structures these assemblages. In addition, several studies have suggested that species in MSFs resemble each other in their plumage, but this question has not been systematically investigated for any MSF system. During the nonbreeding season of 2020 and 2021, we sampled 585 MSFs on 14 transects in 2 habitats of Tongbiguang Nature Reserve in western Yunnan Province, China. We performed social network analysis and the Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure to evaluate the effect of 4 species traits (body size, overall plumage color, distinctive plumage patterns, and diet) and evolutionary history on species association strength at the whole-MSF and within-MSF levels. All 41 significant relationships showed that species with stronger associations were more similar in their various traits. Body size had the strongest effect on association strength, followed by phylogeny, plumage patterns, and plumage color; diet had the weakest effect. Our results are consistent with the hypotheses that the benefits of associating with phenotypically similar species outweigh the potential costs of interspecific competition, and that trait matching can occur in plumage characteristics, albeit more weakly than in other traits. Several explanations exist as to why similarities in plumage may occur in MSFs, including that they could reduce predators' ability to target phenotypically "odd" individuals. Whether trait matching in plumage occurs through assortative processes in ecological time or is influenced by co-evolution requires further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liping Zhou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Kunming Natural History Museum of Zoology, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Christos Mammides
- Nature Conservation Unit, Frederick University, 7, Yianni Frederickou Street, Pallouriotissa, Nicosia 1036, Cyprus
| | - Youfang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Wenyi Zhou
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 34201, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 34201, USA
| | - Wenzhang Dai
- School of Life Science and Institute of Wetland Ecology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Edward L Braun
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 34201, USA
| | - Rebecca T Kimball
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 34201, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun-Yatsen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Scott K Robinson
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 34201, USA
| | - Eben Goodale
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Department of Health and Environmental Science, Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yeung KA, Chai PR, Russell BL, Erickson TB. Avian Toxins and Poisoning Mechanisms. J Med Toxicol 2022; 18:321-333. [PMID: 35474563 PMCID: PMC9492810 DOI: 10.1007/s13181-022-00891-6] [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: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
All around the world, there are species of birds that have developed the ability to acquire toxic chemicals in their bodies making them less palatable or even lethal when consumed or contacted. Exposure to poisonous bird species is rare among humans, yet their poisons can produce serious clinical outcomes. In this study, we conducted a literature search focusing on seven avian species: the pitohuis (Pitohui spp.), blue-capped ifrita (Ifrita kowaldi), European quail (Cortunix corturnix coturnix), spur or spoor-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis), North American ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), Brush bronzewings (Phaps elegans), and European hoopoes and woodhoopoes (Upupa epops and Phoeniculus purpureus, respectively). We present the geographic distribution of each poisonous bird, toxin physiology and origin, clinical signs and symptoms of poisoning, cases of human toxicity if available and discuss the birds’ ability to prevent self-intoxication. Our results suggest that most cases of contact with toxic birds produce mild symptoms as most of these birds apart from the European quail (C. c. corturnix) and North American ruffed grouse (B. umbellus) are not commonly consumed by humans. Furthermore, we discuss several methods of toxin acquisition in these bird species, which are mostly diet acquired apart from the hoopoes and woodhoopoes (Upupa and Phoeniculus spp.) who have a symbiotic relationship with chemical-producing bacteria in their uropygial glands. In summary, our study provides a comprehensive review of the toxic physiology, clinical manifestations, and evolutionary insight to avian toxins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kara A Yeung
- Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency (HAEMR) Program, Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter R Chai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, Mass General Brigham, Vining St. Neville House Boston, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,The Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Division of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brendan L Russell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, Mass General Brigham, Vining St. Neville House Boston, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Timothy B Erickson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, Mass General Brigham, Vining St. Neville House Boston, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Harvard Humanitarian Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wolfgramm H, Martens J, Töpfer T, Vamberger M, Pathak A, Stuckas H, Päckert M. Asymmetric allelic introgression across a hybrid zone of the coal tit ( Periparus ater) in the central Himalayas. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:17332-17351. [PMID: 34938512 PMCID: PMC8668783 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Himalayas, a number of secondary contact zones have been described for vicariant vertebrate taxa. However, analyses of genetic divergence and admixture are missing for most of these examples. In this study, we provide a population genetic analysis for the coal tit (Periparus ater) hybrid zone in Nepal. Intermediate phenotypes between the distinctive western "spot-winged tit" (P. a. melanolophus) and Eastern Himalayan coal tits (P. a. aemodius) occur across a narrow range of <100 km in western Nepal. As a peculiarity, another distinctive cinnamon-bellied form is known from a single population so far. Genetic admixture of western and eastern mitochondrial lineages was restricted to the narrow zone of phenotypically intermediate populations. The cline width was estimated 46 km only with a center close to the population of the cinnamon-bellied phenotype. In contrast, allelic introgression of microsatellite loci was asymmetrical from eastern P. a. aemodius into far western populations of phenotypic P. a. melanolophus but not vice versa. Accordingly, the microsatellite cline was about 3.7 times wider than the mitochondrial one.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Wolfgramm
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections DresdenDresdenGermany
- Present address:
Department of Functional GenomicsInterfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional GenomicsUniversity Medicine GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Jochen Martens
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution (iomE)Johannes Gutenberg UniversityMainzGermany
| | - Till Töpfer
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity ChangeZoological Research Museum Alexander KoenigBonnGermany
| | | | - Abhinaya Pathak
- Department of National Parks and Wildlife ConservationKathmanduNepal
| | - Heiko Stuckas
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Martin Päckert
- Senckenberg Natural History Collections DresdenDresdenGermany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dai C, Dong F, Yang X. Morphotypes or distinct species? A multilocus assessment of two East Asian scimitar babblers (Aves, Timaliidae). ZOOL SCR 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanyin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University) Ministry of Education Guilin China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology Guangxi Normal University Guilin China
- School of Biological Sciences Guizhou Normal College Guiyang China
| | - Feng Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kennedy M, Seneviratne SS, Mendis UK, Spencer HG. Sorting out the Snakebirds: The species status, phylogeny, and biogeography of the Darters (Aves: Anhingidae). J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martyn Kennedy
- Department of Zoology University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
| | - Sampath S. Seneviratne
- Avian Evolution Node, Department of Zoology & Environment Sciences University of Colombo Colombo Sri Lanka
| | - Ushawarni K. Mendis
- Avian Evolution Node, Department of Zoology & Environment Sciences University of Colombo Colombo Sri Lanka
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Weldon PJ. Are we chemically aposematic? Revisiting L. S. B. Leakey’s hypothesis on human body odour. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Weldon
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ornelas JF, González C, Hernández-Baños BE, García-Moreno J. Molecular and iridescent feather reflectance data reveal recent genetic diversification and phenotypic differentiation in a cloud forest hummingbird. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:1104-27. [PMID: 26811749 PMCID: PMC4722824 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The present day distribution and spatial genetic diversity of Mesoamerican biota reflects a long history of responses to habitat change. The hummingbird Lampornis amethystinus is distributed in northern Mesoamerica, with geographically disjunct populations. Based on sampling across the species range using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and nuclear microsatellites jointly analysed with phenotypic and climatic data, we (1) test whether the fragmented distribution is correlated with main evolutionary lineages, (2) assess body size and plumage color differentiation of populations in geographic isolation, and (3) evaluate a set of divergence scenarios and demographic patterns of the hummingbird populations. Analysis of genetic variation revealed four main groups: blue‐throated populations (Sierra Madre del Sur); two groups of amethyst‐throated populations (Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt and Sierra Madre Oriental); and populations east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (IT) with males showing an amethyst throat. The most basal split is estimated to have originated in the Pleistocene, 2.39–0.57 million years ago (MYA), and corresponded to groups of populations separated by the IT. However, the estimated recent divergence time between blue‐ and amethyst‐throated populations does not correspond to the 2‐MY needed to be in isolation for substantial plumage divergence, likely because structurally iridescent colors are more malleable than others. Results of species distribution modeling and Approximate Bayesian Computation analysis fit a model of lineage divergence west of the Isthmus after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), and that the species’ suitable habitat was disjunct during past and current conditions. These results challenge the generality of the contraction/expansion glacial model to cloud forest‐interior species and urges management of cloud forest, a highly vulnerable ecosystem to climate change and currently facing destruction, to prevent further loss of genetic diversity or extinction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Francisco Ornelas
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva Instituto de Ecología AC (INECOL) Xalapa Veracruz 91070 Mexico
| | - Clementina González
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva Instituto de Ecología AC (INECOL) Xalapa Veracruz 91070 Mexico; Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo Morelia Michoacán Mexico
| | - Blanca E Hernández-Baños
- Museo de Zoología Departamento de Biología Evolutiva Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México México DF 04510 Mexico
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Habel JC, Borghesio L, Newmark WD, Day JJ, Lens L, Husemann M, Ulrich W. Evolution along the Great Rift Valley: phenotypic and genetic differentiation of East African white-eyes (Aves, Zosteropidae). Ecol Evol 2015; 5:4849-62. [PMID: 26640665 PMCID: PMC4662327 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The moist and cool cloud forests of East Africa represent a network of isolated habitats that are separated by dry and warm lowland savannah, offering an opportunity to investigate how strikingly different selective regimes affect species diversification. Here, we used the passerine genus Zosterops (white-eyes) from this region as our model system. Species of the genus occur in contrasting distribution settings, with geographical mountain isolation driving diversification, and savannah interconnectivity preventing differentiation. We analyze (1) patterns of phenotypic and genetic differentiation in high- and lowland species (different distribution settings), (2) investigate the potential effects of natural selection and temporal and spatial isolation (evolutionary drivers), and (3) critically review the taxonomy of this species complex. We found strong phenotypic and genetic differentiation among and within the three focal species, both in the highland species complex and in the lowland taxa. Altitude was a stronger predictor of phenotypic patterns than the current taxonomic classification. We found longitudinal and latitudinal phenotypic gradients for all three species. Furthermore, wing length and body weight were significantly correlated with altitude and habitat type in the highland species Z. poliogaster. Genetic and phenotypic divergence showed contrasting inter- and intraspecific structures. We suggest that the evolution of phenotypic characters is mainly driven by natural selection due to differences in the two macro-habitats, cloud forest and savannah. In contrast, patterns of neutral genetic variation appear to be rather driven by geographical isolation of the respective mountain massifs. Populations of the Z. poliogaster complex, as well as Z. senegalensis and Z. abyssinicus, are not monophyletic based on microsatellite data and have higher levels of intraspecific differentiation compared to the currently accepted species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Christian Habel
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan Technische Universität München D-85354 Freising Germany
| | | | - William D Newmark
- Natural History Museum of Utah University of Utah Salt Lake City Utah 84108
| | - Julia J Day
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment University College London London WC1E 6BT U.K
| | - Luc Lens
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University B-9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Martin Husemann
- General Zoology Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg D-06120 Halle (Saale) Germany
| | - Werner Ulrich
- Chair of Ecology and Biogeography Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń Pl-87-100 Toruń Poland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ligabue-Braun R, Carlini CR. Poisonous birds: A timely review. Toxicon 2015; 99:102-8. [PMID: 25839151 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Until very recently, toxicity was not considered a trait observed in birds, but works published in the last two decades started to shed light on this subject. Poisonous birds are rare (or little studied), and comprise Pitohui and Ifrita birds from Papua New Guinea, the European quail, the Spoor-winged goose, the Hoopees, the North American Ruffed grouse, the Bronzewings, and the Red warbler. A hundred more species are considered unpalatable or malodorous to humans and other animals. The present review intends to present the current understanding of bird toxicity, possibly pointing to an ignored research field. Whenever possible, biochemical characteristics of these poisons and their effects on humans and other animals are discussed, along with historical aspects of poison discovery and evolutionary hypothesis regarding their function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43431, Sala 214, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Célia Regina Carlini
- Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, Prédio 43431, Sala 214, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Instituto do Cérebro (InsCer), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6690, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Plikus MV, Astrowski AA. Deadly hairs, lethal feathers--convergent evolution of poisonous integument in mammals and birds. Exp Dermatol 2015; 23:466-8. [PMID: 24698054 DOI: 10.1111/exd.12408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hairs and feathers are textbook examples of the convergent evolution of the follicular appendage structure between mammals and birds. While broadly recognized for their convergent thermoregulatory, camouflage and sexual display functions, hairs and feathers are rarely thought of as deadly defence tools. Several recent studies, however, show that in some species of mammals and birds, the integument can, in fact, be a de facto lethal weapon. One mammalian example is provided by African crested rats, which seek for and chew on the bark of plants containing the highly potent toxin, ouabain. These rats then coat their fur with ouabain-containing saliva. For efficient toxin retention, the rodents have evolved highly specialized fenestrated and mostly hollow hair shafts that soak up liquids, which essentially function as wicks. On the avian side of the vertebrate integumental variety spectrum, several species of birds of New Guinea have evolved resistance to highly potent batrachotoxins, which they acquire from their insect diet. While the mechanism of bird toxicity remains obscure, in a recently published issue of the journal, Dumbacher and Menon explore the intriguing idea that to achieve efficient storage of batrachotoxins in their skin, some birds exploit the basic permeability barrier function of their epidermis. Batrachotoxins become preferentially sequestered in their epidermis and are then transferred to feathers, likely through the exploitation of specialized avian lipid-storing multigranular body organelles. Here, we discuss wider implications of this intriguing concept.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maksim V Plikus
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hudson LN, Isaac NJB, Reuman DC. The relationship between body mass and field metabolic rate among individual birds and mammals. J Anim Ecol 2013; 82:1009-20. [PMID: 23701213 PMCID: PMC3840704 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Summary The authors provide the first comprehensive empirical analysis of the scaling relationship between field metabolic rate and body mass in individual birds and mammals. The analysis reveals the importance of heterogeneity in the scaling exponent, with consequences for biomass and nutrient flow through communities, and the structure and functioning of whole ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence N Hudson
- Imperial College London, Silwood Park, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schweizer M, Güntert M, Hertwig ST. Phylogeny and biogeography of the parrot genus
Prioniturus
(Aves: Psittaciformes). J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0469.2012.00654.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Schweizer
- Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern, Bernastrasse, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Güntert
- Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern, Bernastrasse, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan T. Hertwig
- Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern, Bernastrasse, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jønsson KA, Irestedt M, Ericson PGP, Fjeldså J. A molecular phylogeny of minivets (Passeriformes: Campephagidae:Pericrocotus): implications for biogeography and convergent plumage evolution. ZOOL SCR 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-6409.2009.00401.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
14
|
Rajchard J. The batrachotoxins with a protective function in birds. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2009.9522512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
15
|
Dumbacher JP, Fleischer RC. Phylogenetic evidence for colour pattern convergence in toxic pitohuis: Müllerian mimicry in birds? Proc Biol Sci 2001; 268:1971-6. [PMID: 11571042 PMCID: PMC1088837 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2001.1717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bird species in the genus Pitohui are chemically defended by a potent neurotoxic alkaloid in their skin and feathers. The two most toxic pitohui species, the hooded pitohui (Pitohui dichrous) and the variable pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus), are sometimes strikingly patterned and, in certain portions of their geographical ranges, both species share a nearly identical colour pattern, whereas in other areas they do not. Müllerian mimicry (the mutual resemblance of two chemically defended prey species) is common in some other animal groups and Pitohui birds have been suggested as one of the most likely cases in birds. Here, we examine pitohui plumage evolution in the context of a well-supported molecular phylogeny and use a maximum likelihood approach to test for convergent evolution in coloration. We show that the 'mimetic' phenotype is ancestral to both species and that the resemblance in most races is better explained by a shared ancestry. One large clade of P. kirhocephalus lost this mimetic phenotype early in their evolution and one race nested deep within this clade appears to have re-evolved this phenotype. These latter findings are consistent with the hypothesis that Müllerian mimicry is driving the evolution for a similar colour pattern between P. dichrous, but only in this one clade of P. kirhocephalus
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J P Dumbacher
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20008, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Omland KE, Lanyon SM. Reconstructing plumage evolution in orioles (Icterus): repeated convergence and reversal in patterns. Evolution 2000; 54:2119-33. [PMID: 11209787 DOI: 10.1111/j.0014-3820.2000.tb01254.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Several empirical studies suggest that sexually selected characters, including bird plumage, may evolve rapidly and show high levels of convergence and other forms of homoplasy. However, the processes that might generate such convergence have not been explored theoretically. Furthermore, no studies have rigorously addressed this issue using a robust phylogeny and a large number of signal characters. We scored the appearance of 44 adult male plumage characters that varied across New World orioles (Icterus). We mapped the plumage characters onto a molecular phylogeny based on two mitochondrial genes. Reconstructing the evolution of these characters revealed evidence of convergence or reversal in 42 of the 44 plumage characters. No plumage character states are restricted to any groups of species higher than superspecies in the oriole phylogeny. The high frequency of convergence and reversal is reflected in the low overall retention index (RI = 0.66) and the low overall consistency index (CI = 0.28). We found similar results when we mapped plumage changes onto a total evidence tree. Our findings reveal that plumage patterns and colors are highly labile between species of orioles, but highly conserved within the oriole genus. Furthermore, there are at least two overall plumage types that have convergently evolved repeatedly in the three oriole clades. This overall convergence leads to significant conflict between the molecular and plumage data. It is not clear what evolutionary processes lead to this homoplasy in individual characters or convergence in overall pattern. However, evolutionary constraints such as developmental limitations and genetic correlations between characters are likely to play a role. Our results are consistent with the belief that avian plumage and other sexually selected characters may evolve rapidly and may exhibit high homoplasy. The overall convergence in oriole plumage patterns is an interesting evolutionary phenomenon, but it cautions against heavy reliance on plumage characters for constructing phylogenies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K E Omland
- James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History and Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Omland KE, Lanyon SM. RECONSTRUCTING PLUMAGE EVOLUTION IN ORIOLES (ICTERUS): REPEATED CONVERGENCE AND REVERSAL IN PATTERNS. Evolution 2000. [DOI: 10.1554/0014-3820(2000)054[2119:rpeioi]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|