On the Origin of Pantepui montane biotas: A Perspective Based on the Phylogeny of Aulacorhynchus toucanets

Abstract

To understand the origin of Pantepui montane biotas, we studied the biogeography of toucanets in the genus Aulacorhynchus. These birds are ideal for analyzing historical relationships among Neotropical montane regions, given their geographic distribution from Mexico south to Bolivia, including northern Venezuela (Cordillera de la Costa), and the Pantepui. Analyses were based on molecular phylogenies using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Topology tests were applied to compare alternative hypotheses that may explain the current distribution of Aulacorhynchus toucanets, in the context of previous hypotheses of the origin of Pantepui montane biotas. Biogeographic reconstructions in RASP and Lagrange were used to estimate the ancestral area of the genus, and an analysis in BEAST was used to estimate a time framework for its diversification. A sister relationship between the Pantepui and Andes+Cordillera de la Costa was significantly more likely than topologies indicating other hypothesis for the origin of Pantepui populations. The Andes was inferred as the ancestral area for Aulacorhynchus, and the group has diversified since the late Miocene. The biogeographic patterns found herein, in which the Andes are the source for biotas of other regions, are consistent with those found for flowerpiercers and tanagers, and do not support the hypothesis of the geologically old Pantepui as a source of Neotropical montain diversity. Based on the high potential for cryptic speciation and isolation of Pantepui populations, we consider that phylogenetic studies of additional taxa are important from a conservation perspective.

Evolutionary affinities of the ‘Lost World’ mouse suggest a late Pliocene connection between the Guiana and Brazilian shields

“…Birds, such as the toucanets Aulacorhynchus, on the other hand, show phylogenetic and biogeographical patterns compatible with long-distance dispersal from the Andes to the Pantepui region (Bonaccorso & Guayasamin, 2013). Our results allow the long-distance dispersal hypothesis for the origin of Podoxymys to be rejected, because this genus is not closely related to Andean taxa such as Neomicroxus.…”

“…As with amphibians and reptiles, long-distance dispersal is unlikely in the case of Podoxymys, a small terrestrial mouse restricted to tepui summits and probably possessing low dispersal ability. Birds, such as the toucanets Aulacorhynchus, on the other hand, show phylogenetic and biogeographical patterns compatible with long-distance dispersal from the Andes to the Pantepui region (Bonaccorso & Guayasamin, 2013).…”

Biodiversity hotspots and Ocbil theory

“…However, the lack of a quantitative framework has not prevented identification of Ocbils throughout the world. Hopper (2009) focused on three of the most significant areas on Earth that have Ocbils: the Southwest Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR, Figs 3 and 4 -Hopper and Gioia 2004;Lambers et al 2014;Groom and Lamont 2015), the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa (GCFR -Born et al 2007;Cowling et al 2009a, b;Allsopp et al 2014), and the Pantepui region of the Guyana Shield in South America (Berry and Riina 2005;Kok 2013;Bonaccorso and Guayasamin 2013).…”

“…150 km southeast of Cape Town Cowling et al (2009a) x A n i m a l s a n d p l a n t s -phylogeographic studies Lexer et al (2013) x EAf, SAf amphibians Poynton (2013) x Oxalis (Oxalidaceae), especially vernal pool species Oberlander et al (2014) x Speciation, extinction -Greater Cape flora Ellis et al (2014) x Topography as a driver of diversification x Salerno et al (2012) x Aulacorhynchus toucanets (Aves, Ramphastidae) Bonaccorso and Guayasamin (2013) x Lizards -Riolama, Arthrosaura, Anadia (Gymnophthalmidae); FrogsOreophrynella (Bufonidae), Anomaloglossus (Aromobatidae), Kok (2013) Plant Soil Tepuihyla tree frogs Salerno et al (2015) x glob Asteraceae, clarifying tepui endemics' position Panero and Funk (2008) x Whole flora Rapini et al (2008) x Vellozia gigantea (Velloziaceae) Martins et al (2012) AtRf Inselberg flora de Paula et al (2015) glob Climatic displacement rate (low-velocity) areas are essential refuges for many small-ranged endemic species x Tetratheca paynterae subsp. paynterae (Elaeocarpaceae) ironstone endemic Butcher et al (2011) x Selected mesic Australian biota Byrne et al (2011b) x Trapdoor spider Moggridgea tingle (Migidae) Cooper et al (2011) x Australian Ground Parrots Pezoporus Murphy et al (2011) x The rare sunset frog (Spicospina flammocaerulea).…”

Presencia del pico de frasco esmeralda, Aulacorhynchus sulcatus, y del tilingo acollarado, Pteroglossus torquatus nuchalis (Aves: Ramphastidae), en el estado Cojedes, Venezuela

“…Haffer (1974) y Short y Horne (2002) consideran que A. sulcatus forma una superespecie con A. derbianus y su relación ha sido confirmada por datos genéticos (Bonaccorso et al 2001, Bonaccorso y Guayasamin 2013; aunque suelen tratarse como especies distintas debido a las diferencias en la voz y la forma del pico (Remsen et al 2015).…”