Enrique Arbeláez-Cortés

The differential effect of lowlands on the phylogeographic pattern of a Mesoamerican montane species (Lepidocolaptes affinis, Aves: Furnariidae).

We sequenced 1869 bp of mtDNA (cyt b and ND2) from 80 specimens of Lepidocolaptes affinis, a montane bird species of Mesoamerica, sampled at 34 localities from Mexico to Costa Rica. The species showed moderate genetic diversity (π=0.0045) and phylogeographic structure (Φ(ST)=0.12-0.95). The phylogeographic pattern indicated the Nicaragua Depression has prevented gene flow whereas populations on the two sides of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec did not show strong genetic differentiation. In Mexico, the population of the Sierra Madre Oriental was composed of two different lineages. In general, our data did not support a scenario of historical demographic expansion, and matched partially the phylogeographic patterns of other Mesoamerica montane species.

Multilocus analysis of intraspecific differentiation in three endemic bird species from the northern Neotropical dry forest.

Among-species phylogeographic concordance provides insight into the common processes driving lineage divergence in a particular region. However, identifying the processes that caused phylogeographic breaks is not always straight forward, and inferring past environmental conditions in combination with documented geologic events is sometimes necessary to explain current patterns. We searched for concordant phylogeographic patterns and investigated their causes in three bird species (Momotus mexicanus, Melanerpes chrysogenys, and Passerina leclancherii) that belong to three different avian orders and are endemic to the northernmost range of the Neotropical dry forest. We obtained mitochondrial DNA (ND2 and COI or cyt b) and nuclear DNA (20454, GAPDH, MUSK, and TGFB) sequences for at least one locus from 162 individuals across all species and defined climatically stable areas using environmental niche model projections for the last 130,000 years to have a paleoenvironmental framework for the phylogeographic results. All three species showed marked phylogeographic structure, with breaks found in roughly similar areas, such as the border between the Mexican states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, and between southern Jalisco and Michoacán. Both of these regions are known biogeographic breaks among other taxa. Patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation were partially compatible with climatically stable areas. Coalescent analyses revealed recent population growth and estimated the deeper haplogroup divergence of all three taxa to have occurred within the last 600,000 years. The phylogeographic patterns found are noteworthy because they are maintained in a relatively small area for bird species with continuous ranges, and highlight a unique situation when compared to phylogeographic patterns found in other studies of Neotropical birds that have stressed the role of geographic barriers to explain intraspecific differentiation. Our results point to a scenario of population isolation resulting in the present phylogeographic structure, likely a result of historical climate fluctuations that have fragmented and reconnected the Neotropical dry forest. This study contributes to a growing body of evidence indicating active diversification of endemic lineages in the northern Neotropical dry forest region.

Birds, Quindío Department, Central Andes of Colombia

We present an avifaunal list for the department of Quindio, Colombia. Data were compiled from our original fieldwork, museum online databases, and literature. The list includes 543 species, of which 34 are in some threatened category, 28 are Colombian endemics or semi-endemics, 44 are migrants, and 26 are new records for this region. Eleven species are represented only by museum vouchers from the first part of the 20th century and could be considered putatively extirpated in Quindio.

The niche and phylogeography of a passerine reveal the history of biological diversification between the Andean and the Atlantic forests

The Atlantic Forest is separated from the Andean tropical forest by dry and open vegetation biomes (Chaco and Cerrado). Despite this isolation, both rainforests share closely related lineages, which suggest a past connection. This connection could have been important for forest taxa evolution. In this study, we used the Saffron-billed Sparrow (Arremon flavirostris) as a model to evaluate whether the Andean and the Atlantic forests act as a refugia system, as well as to test for a history of biogeographic connection between them. In addition, we evaluated the molecular systematic of intraspecific lineages of the studied species. We modeled the current and past distribution of A. flavirostris, performed phylogeographic analyses based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes, and used Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) analyses to test for biogeographic scenarios. The major phylogeographic disjunction within A. flavirostris was found between the Andean and the Atlantic forests, with a divergence that occurred during the Mid-Pleistocene. Our paleodistribution models indicated a connection between these forest domains in different periods and through both the Chaco and Cerrado. Additionally, the phylogeographic and ABC analyses supported that the Cerrado was the main route of connection between these rainforests, but without giving decisive evidence against a Chaco connection. Our study with A. flavirostris suggest that the biodiversity of the Andean and of the Atlantic forests could have been impacted (and perhaps enriched?) by cycles of connections through the Cerrado and Chaco. This recurrent cycle of connection between the Andean and the Atlantic Forest could have been important for the evolution of Neotropical forest taxa. In addition, we discussed taxonomic implications of the results and proposed to split the studied taxon into two full species.

Phylogeny of woodcreepers of the genus Lepidocolaptes (Aves, Furnariidae), a widespread Neotropical taxon

Arbeláez‐Cortés, E., Navarro‐Sigüenza, A. G. & García‐Moreno J. (2012). Phylogeny of woodcreepers of the genus Lepidocolaptes (Aves, Furnariidae), a widespread Neotropical taxon. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 363–373.

On the importance of geographic and taxonomic sampling in phylogeography: A reevaluation of diversification and species limits in a Neotropical thrush (Aves, Turdidae)

Phylogeographic studies seeking to describe biogeographic patterns, infer evolutionary processes, and revise species-level classification should properly characterize the distribution ranges of study species, and thoroughly sample genetic variation across taxa and geography. This is particularly necessary for widely distributed organisms occurring in complex landscapes, such as the Neotropical region. Here, we clarify the geographic range and revisit the phylogeography of the Black-billed Thrush (Turdus ignobilis), a common passerine bird from lowland tropical South America, whose evolutionary relationships and species limits were recently evaluated employing phylogeographic analyses based on partial knowledge of its distribution and incomplete sampling of populations. Our work employing mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences sampled all named subspecies and multiple populations across northern South America, and uncovered patterns not apparent in earlier work, including a biogeographic interplay between the Amazon and Orinoco basins and the occurrence of distinct lineages with seemingly different habitat affinities in regional sympatry in the Colombian Amazon. In addition, we found that previous inferences about the affinities and taxonomic status of Andean populations assumed to be allied to populations from the Pantepui region were incorrect, implying that inferred biogeographic and taxonomic scenarios need re-evaluation. We propose a new taxonomic treatment, which recognizes two distinct biological species in the group. Our findings illustrate the importance of sufficient taxon and geographic sampling to reconstruct evolutionary history and to evaluate species limits among Neotropical organisms. Considering the scope of the questions asked, advances in Neotropical phylogeography will often require substantial cross-country scientific collaboration.

Fourteen new additions to the list of birds of Quindío department, Colombia

Recent records of bird species in the Colombian Andes have shown that this region is not as well known as was previously believed. We compiled data from a major collection of Colombian birds and from our recent field observations to complement the bird species list of Quindio department. We report the addition of 14 species to Quindio’s checklist and data of museum vouchers for 12 species reported only from field observations. The majority of additions were from localities below 1,900 m above sea level, a zone that has been highly transformed by human activities. Our dataset, and other information, raised the number of bird species in Quindio to 560. This information must be considered in decisions about the land use in this region of the Colombian Andes.

The Composition of Mixed-Species Bird Flocks in Alto Quindío, Colombia

Abstract Mixed-species bird flocks are a prevalent characteristic of Andean avian communities. We describe the species composition of mixed-species bird flocks observed in a high mountain zone (3,000 to 3,450 m) of Quindío, central Andes, Colombia. The total number of species observed in mixed-species flocks was 42, and the mean number of species and individuals per flock were 5.1 and 11.5, respectively. Flock species composition was similar along the elevation gradient studied. Our observations suggest that five species (Margarornis squamiger, Iridisornis rufivertex, Conirostrum sitticolor, Mecocerculus stictopterus, and Diglossa cyanea) could be nuclear species in the flocks.

Aves, Finca Estrella de Agua – Páramo de Frontino, municipality of Salento, Quindío, Colombia

We present a list of 92 bird species from Finca Estrella de Agua – Paramo de Frontino section (3,100 – 3,400 m) in Salento municipality, Quindio Department, Central Andes of Colombia. The list was made by a combination of visual and aural records and mist net captures during 2005, and complemented by opportunistic records during three consecutive years. Notably, our list includes three Colombian endemics and semi-endemics: Eriocnemis derbyi (DeLattre and Bourcier, 1846), Eriocnemis mosquera (DeLattre and Bourcier, 1846) and Myioborus ornatus (Boissonneau, 1840) . Three threatened species were detected: Andigena hypoglauca (Gould, 1833), Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons (Lawrence, 1880), and Buthraupis wetmorei (Moore, 1934) . Records led to altitudinal range extensions of four species: Pipreola riefferii (Boissonneau, 1840) , Glaucidium jardinii (Bonaparte, 1855) , Margarornis squamiger (d’Orbigny and Lafresnaye, 1838), and Pachyramphus versicolor (Hartlaub, 1843). We highlight the importance of this area for conservation plans.

Variation on species composition and richness in mixed bird flocks along an altitudinal gradient in the Central Andes of Colombia

We recorded the species composition of mixed bird flocks, during 366 h of fieldwork in seven localities along an altitudinal gradient on the Central Andes of Colombia. We observed 164 species in 212 mixed bird flocks. Species composition varied along the altitudinal gradient and 27 species could have a cohesive role in the flock, but almost all of them were different among localities. The number of species per mixed flock varied from two to 30. The mean number of species per flock also varied among localities, and the differences among the whole set of species joining mixed flocks in each locality seem to be related with both differences in altitude and geographic distance.