Crumble analysis of the historic sympatric distribution between Dendrortyx macroura and D. barbatus (Aves: Galliformes)

Abstract

In Mexico, the Long-tailed Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx macroura) is distributed in the mountains of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Sierra Madre del Sur and Sierra Norte de Oaxaca; while the Bearded Wood-Partridge (D. barbatus) is distributed in the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO). There is a controversial overlap in distribution (sympatry) between these two species (on the Cofre de Perote and Pico de Orizaba volcanoes, SMO and Sierra Norte de Oaxaca), based on the ambiguity and current lack of information regarding the distribution of these two species. In order to disentangle the possible presence of both species in the area of sympatry, we conducted a crumble analysis of the historic knowledge regarding the geographic distribution of both species, based on a review of scientific literature, database records, the specimen examination (in ornithological collections), field work and a reconstruction of the distribution range based on Ecological Niche Modeling. Our results support the presence of only one of these two species in the overlapping area, rejecting the existence of such an area of sympatry between the two species. We discuss alternative hypotheses that could explain the historically reported distribution pattern: 1) an error in the single existing historical record; 2) a possible local extinction of the species and 3) the past existence of interspecific competition that has since been resolved under the principle of competitive exclusion. We propose that the Santo Domingo River in northern Oaxaca and western slope of the Sierra Madre Oriental, mark the distribution limits between these species.

Phylogenomics of arboreal alligator lizards shed light on the geographical diversification of cloud forest‐adapted biotas

“…Our analyses indicated that the origin and diversification of the A. taeniata–graminea species complex has been most likely shaped by the complex geologic history of the region and distributional changes of the pine–oak forests that they inhabit. Other groups of organisms inhabiting these cloud forests share similar cladogenesis patterns, including rodents (Ávila‐Valle et al, 2012; Hardy et al, 2013; León‐Paniagua et al, 2007), amphibians (Caviedes‐Solis & Leaché, 2018; García‐Castillo et al, 2018; Parra‐Olea et al, 2020), lizards (Bryson et al, 2012) and birds (Mota‐Vargas et al, 2017).…”

“…3.92 Ma (León‐Paniagua et al, 2007). Previous biogeographical studies have documented that the Papaloapan basin has played an important role promoting allopatric speciation in highland organisms with low vagility, such as small mammals (Carleton et al, 2002; Guevara & Sánchez‐Cordero, 2018; Rogers et al, 2007; Sullivan et al, 1997; Vallejo & González‐Cózatl, 2012), lizards ( A. antauges and A. juarezi ; Solano‐Zavaleta et al, 2017; Xenosaurus grandis and X. manipulus ; Nieto‐Montes de Oca et al, 2022), pine–oak forest birds (Mota‐Vargas et al, 2017) and troglobiotic scorpions (Santibáñez‐López et al, 2014). In the same line, our results suggest that climatically unfavourable areas across these low‐elevation areas during both the LGM and present (Figure 5) limited and continue to limit secondary contact between populations at both sides of the valley of the Santo Domingo River (Sierra Mazateca and Sierra de Juárez).…”