Niche evolution and diversification in a Neotropical radiation of birds (Aves: Furnariidae)

Seddon

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

Self Cite

Environmental differences influence the evolutionary divergence of mating signals through selection acting either directly on signal transmission (“sensory drive”) or because morphological adaptation to different foraging niches causes divergence in “magic traits” associated with signal production, thus indirectly driving signal evolution. Sensory drive and magic traits both contribute to variation in signal structure, yet we have limited understanding of the relative role of these direct and indirect processes during signal evolution. Using phylogenetic analyses across 276 species of ovenbirds (Aves: Furnariidae), we compared the extent to which song evolution was related to the direct influence of habitat characteristics and the indirect effect of body size and beak size, two potential magic traits in birds. We find that indirect ecological selection, via diversification in putative magic traits, explains variation in temporal, spectral, and performance features of song. Body size influences song frequency, whereas beak size limits temporal and performance components of song. In comparison, direct ecological selection has weaker and more limited effects on song structure. Our results illustrate the importance of considering multiple deterministic processes in the evolution of mating signals.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Habitat Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological drivers of song evolution in birds: Disentangling the effects of habitat and morphology

Seddon

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Broadscale phyloclimatic studies of Neotropical organisms are incipient (Seeholzer, Claramunt, & Brumfield, ; Zurano, Martinez, Canto‐Hernandez, Montoya‐Burgos, & Costa, ). Further, the effects of different components of the complex Neotropical landscape on taxa with different ecological tolerances are still unexplored in evolutionary contexts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this scenario, low-to-moderate levels of PNC would favor dispersal along changing environments and species divergence could result from differential adaptation to distinct ecological conditions, or the so-called ecological speciation mechanisms (Schluter, 2009). Phyloclimatic modeling emerged as new field of research that integrates ecological niche modeling (ENM) with dated phylogenies to explore the climatic factors influencing the geographic distribution of species (Evans, Smith, Flynn, & Donoghue, 2009;Jakob, Heibl, Rodder, & Blattner, 2010;Nyári & Reddy, 2013) Broadscale phyloclimatic studies of Neotropical organisms are incipient (Seeholzer, Claramunt, & Brumfield, 2017;Zurano, Martinez, Canto-Hernandez, Montoya-Burgos, & Costa, 2017). (paulensis species group) or the Amazon savannas (striata species group; Ribeiro-Junior & Amaral, 2016a;Werneck, Giugliano, Collevatti, & Colli, 2009), which are important biodiversity centers in the Neotropical region (Antonelli, Ariza, et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The combined role of dispersal and niche evolution in the diversification of Neotropical lizards

Sheu

Zurano²,

Ribeiro‐Júnior

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

Ecological requirements and environmental conditions can influence diversification across temporal and spatial scales. Understanding the role of ecological niche evolution under phylogenetic contexts provides insights on speciation mechanisms and possible responses to future climatic change. Large‐scale phyloclimatic studies on the megadiverse Neotropics, where biomes with contrasting vegetation types occur in narrow contact, are rare. We integrate ecological and biogeographic data with phylogenetic comparative methods, to investigate the relative roles of biogeographic events and niche divergence and conservatism on the diversification of the lizard genus Kentropyx Spix, 1825 (Squamata: Teiidae), distributed in South American rainforests and savannas. Using five molecular markers, we estimated a dated species tree, which recovered three clades coincident with previously proposed species groups diverging during the mid‐Miocene. Biogeography reconstruction indicates a role of successive dispersal events from an ancestral range in the Brazilian Shield and western Amazonia. Ancestral reconstruction of climatic tolerances and niche overlap metrics indicates a trend of conservatism during the diversification of groups from the Amazon Basin and Guiana Shield, and a strong signal of niche divergence in the Brazilian Shield savannas. Our results suggest that climatic‐driven divergence at dynamic forest‐savanna borders might have resulted in adaptation to new environmental niches, promoting habitat shifts and shaping speciation patterns of Neotropical lizards. Dispersal and ecological divergence could have a more important role in Neotropical diversification than previously thought.

“…, Remsen , Seeholzer et al. ). Furnariids exhibit an extraordinary diversity of nest types (Skutch , Sick , Remsen ), which has been used to propose phylogenetic relationships (Vaurie , Zyskowski and Prum ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Divergence in nest placement and parental care of Neotropical foliage-gleaners and treehunters (Furnariidae: Philydorini)

Cockle

Bodrati²

2017

J. Field Ornithol.

The Neotropical ovenbirds (Furnariidae) are an adaptive radiation of suboscines renowned for the diversity of their nests. Like most altricial insectivores, they generally exhibit biparental care. One tribe, Philydorini, includes 46 species thought to nest in either underground burrows or tree cavities, nest types traditionally treated as equivalent in phylogenetic studies. Their parental care systems are poorly known, but could help illuminate how uniparental care – typically associated with frugivory – can arise in insectivores. We examined the extent to which nest placement, parental care, and associated reproductive traits map onto two major clades of Philydorini identified by genetic hypotheses. We review published literature and present new information from the Atlantic Forest of Argentina, including the first nest descriptions for Ochre‐breasted Foliage‐gleaners (Anabacerthia lichtensteini) and Sharp‐billed Treehunters (Heliobletus contaminatus). In the Automolus‐Thripadectes‐Clibanornis clade (including Philydor rufum), 134 of 138 reported nests were in underground burrows. In the Syndactyla‐Anabacerthia‐Anabazenops clade (including Heliobletus, Philydor atricapillus, and Philydor erythrocercum), 44 of 48 nests were in tree cavities. Remaining nests were in buildings or species‐level identification was unclear. At least eight species in the first clade, but none in the second clade, excavated their nest sites. Biparental care was confirmed for nine species in the first clade and one species in the second clade. In contrast, nests of A. lichtensteini and H. contaminatus were attended by a single secretive adult. We propose that species in the Automolus‐Thripadectes‐Clibanornis clade are underground burrow excavators, and those in the Syndactyla‐Anabacerthia‐Anabazenops clade are secondary tree‐cavity nesters (nonexcavators). We also note that parental care strategies in Furnariidae vary with nest complexity and conspicuousness – from uniparental care in secretive tree‐cavity nesters to cooperative breeding in highly vocal builders of elaborate nests – suggesting evolutionary links among nest‐building, concealment, and parental care strategies.