Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert M. Lasley Jr, Nathaniel Evans, Gustav Paulay, Francois Michonneau, Amanda Windsor, Irwansyah, Peter K. L. Ng
Summary: Molecular studies have found that many species in the Indo-West Pacific have allopatric mosaics of endemic lineages, indicating the need for substantial time for isolating mechanisms to evolve. A phylogeny of Chlorodiellinae crabs showed allopatric lineages without divergent male genitalia, suggesting that divergence occurs after isolation in allopatry. However, genital morphological evolution plays an important role in completing speciation in these crabs.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hsin Lee, Kwen-Shen Lee, Chia-Hsin Hsu, Chen-Wei Lee, Ching-En Li, Jia-Kang Wang, Chien-Chia Tseng, Wei-Jen Chen, Ching-Chang Horng, Colby T. Ford, Andreas Kroh, Omri Bronstein, Hayate Tanaka, Tatsuo Oji, Jih-Pai Lin, Daniel Janies
Summary: The classification of the Class Echinoidea is being revised based on emerging molecular phylogenetic evidence, particularly concerning the sister-group relationships within the superorder Luminacea. The placement of many families remains unresolved due to incongruent evidence from different data sources. This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships of 25 taxa, proposing three new superfamilies and revealing the importance of the tropical western Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans in the early diversification of sand dollars. The study also highlights the role of Taiwan fauna in understanding the historical migration and dispersal events in the evolutionary history of Luminacea.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Ana M. Gutierrez-Zuluaga, Catalina Gonzalez-Quevedo, Jessica A. Oswald, Ryan S. Terrill, Jorge L. Perez-Eman, Juan L. Parra
Summary: Disjunct distributions within a species can act as a barrier to gene flow and lead to speciation. Analysis of geographic differentiation and molecular data of Diglossa brunneiventris revealed that the two subspecies are more closely related to other species within the carbonaria complex and occupy different climatic niches. This suggests the potential presence of more cryptic species within the carbonaria complex and the need for reevaluating the taxonomic status of the brunneiventris populations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Serena Acha, Alexander Linan, John MacDougal, Christine Edwards
Summary: Through DNA sequencing and ancestral area reconstruction, the study revealed that Section Decaloba consists of two main clades: the Central American clade and the South American clade. Section Decaloba originated in Central America around 10.4 million years ago, then dispersed to South America, the Greater Antilles, and the Bahamas. The South American clade diversified in the Northern Andes and subsequently spread to other regions of South America and the Lesser Antilles.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Jose M. Ramirez-Salamanca, Paula Cornejo, Mariana R. Chani-Posse
Summary: Philonthina is the largest subtribe of Staphylinini, with most of its species found in tropical areas. The origin of this diversity is not well understood, but through molecular and geographical studies, it was found that Philonthina originated during the Late Cretaceous and diversified into five main lineages during the Eocene. The Neotropical lineage (NL) of Philonthina originated in northwestern South America and the Andes around 64.2 million years ago and further diversified into different clades during the Miocene.
SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Rowan J. Schley, Alex D. Twyford, R. Toby Pennington
Summary: Hybridization plays a role in the evolution of diversity in the Neotropical flora, with studies showing a spectrum of outcomes across different biomes and taxa. The impacts of hybridization range from short-term effects like ecological amplitude expansion in hybrid progeny to long-term effects such as the generation of new lineages. Certain themes, like pervasive hybridization in species-rich plant radiations from the Andean paramos, suggest a role for hybridization in rapid diversification events.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Nelson Buainain, Mateus Ferreira, Jorge E. Avendano, Carlos D. Cadena, Brant C. Faircloth, Robb T. Brumfield, Joel Cracraft, Camila C. Ribas
Summary: This study compares the diversification dynamics of montane and lowland populations of a songbird genus in the Neotropics and finds overall similarities in their evolutionary processes. The current taxonomic arrangement may underestimate species diversity within the genus.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Gabriel Mendes Marcusso, Vitor de Andrade Kamimura, Renan Borgiani, Luiz Menini Neto, Julio Antonio Lombardi
Summary: The Neotropical Region is globally recognized for its high plant diversity, particularly in vascular epiphytes. This study aimed to explore the phytogeographic relationships of vascular epiphytes in the region and found consistent floristic patterns and associations with environmental conditions. The findings highlight the importance of vascular epiphytes as a model for testing biogeographic classifications.
Article
Ecology
Natali Hurtado, Guillermo D'Elia
Summary: The study reveals that Oligoryzomys originated in the northern half of South America and colonized southern South America, the Andes, Central, and North America through a series of vicariant and dispersion events, making it one of the fastest and largest Pleistocene diversifications of Neotropical mammals.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ryo Yamaguchi, Yoh Iwasa, Yuuya Tachiki
Summary: Species diversity in an archipelagic system is determined by the balance of speciation, extinction, and migration. As species numbers increase, average population size per species decreases, leading to higher extinction probabilities. In a study using a multi-species two-island model, it was found that migration plays a crucial role in affecting the rate of recurrent speciation events, potentially stabilizing species numbers at a finite level.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ryan A. Folk, Michelle L. Gaynor, Nicholas J. Engle-Wrye, Brian C. O'Meara, Pamela S. Soltis, Douglas E. Soltis, Robert P. Guralnick, Stephen A. Smith, Charles J. Grady, Yudai Okuyama
Summary: Applications of molecular phylogenetic approaches have revealed evidence of hybridization across various clades of life. This study focuses on the Heuchereae clade in Saxifragaceae and uses a combination of nuclear and chloroplast data to confirm previous hybridization events and identify a new one. The results suggest that past climate change and species' ecological strategies play important roles in shaping patterns of range contact and opportunities for hybridization.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xueling Yi, Emily K. Latch
Summary: Biodiversity can be increased by colonization of new habitats. This study investigates the systematics and evolutionary history of the Eptesicus species, uncovering different populations and potential cryptic diversity. The study also proposes the origin and dispersal routes of the Eptesicus species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Murilo de Oliveira Fernandes, Crislaine Barbosa, Daiana Kaster Garcez, Antonio Sergio Varela Junior, Matheus Vieira Volcan, Lizandra Jaqueline Robe
Summary: The study aimed to understand the evolutionary patterns and processes associated with the geographic distribution of A. minuano, A. charrua, and A. pongondo, revealing them as independent evolutionary units. Phylogenetic reconstructions showed that Western lineage branched out first, while Eastern lineages diverged more recently.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Silvia C. Martinez-Gomez, Carlos Esteban Lara, J. Remsen, Robb T. Brumfield, Andres M. Cuervo
Summary: This study investigated the genetic and phenotypic differentiation in Diglossa cyanea, a widely distributed bird species in the tropical Andes. Two main lineages with significant genetic and phenotypic differences were identified, indicating that geographic isolation can lead to genetic divergence. The study highlights the importance of collecting various data sets to better understand the evolutionary history, biogeography, bioacoustics, and taxonomy of Neotropical montane birds.
Article
Ornithology
Jacob C. Cooper, J. Dylan Maddox, Kellie McKague, John M. Bates
Summary: The study reveals that the Afromontane bird species C. reichenowi exhibits regional diversification in geographically disjunct areas, indicating that ecological diversity is shaping populations in Central Africa.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elisa Bonaccorso, Nicte Ordonez-Garza, Diana A. Pazmino, Alex Hearn, Diego Paez-Rosas, Sebastian Cruz, Juan Pablo Munoz-Perez, Eduardo Espinoza, Jenifer Suarez, Lauren D. Munoz-Rosado, Andrea Vizuete, Jaime A. Chaves, Maria de Lourde Torres, Walter Bustos, Danny Rueda, Maximilian Hirschfeld, Juan M. Guayasamin
Summary: Shark fishing for the fin trade is the main reason for the decline in global shark populations. A case study shows how industrial fisheries may be depleting shark populations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, with a large seizure of sharks in one incident highlighting the severity of the situation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Sarah A. Cowles, Christopher C. Witt, Elisa Bonaccorso, Felix Grewe, J. Albert C. Uy
Summary: Understanding the factors behind the diversification of geographically variable species is crucial. This study focused on the Amazilia Hummingbird, which is found along the Pacific coast from Ecuador to Peru. The researchers found that there are six subspecies of the Amazilia Hummingbird, with genetic isolation and gene flow contributing to their evolution. Additionally, one subspecies in Ecuador may be genetically distinct enough to be considered a separate species.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Correction
Parasitology
Hector Cadena-Ortiz, Juan S. Mantilla, Juan Rivero de Aguilar, Diana Flores, Daniela Bahamonde, Nubia E. Matta, Elisa Bonaccorso
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valeria Ramirez-Castaneda, Erin P. Westeen, Jeffrey Frederick, Sina Amini, Daniel R. Wait, Anang S. Achmadi, Noviar Andayani, Evy Arida, Umilaela Arifin, Moises A. Bernal, Elisa Bonaccorso, Marites Bonachita Sanguila, Rafe M. Brown, Jing Che, F. Peter Condori, Diny Hartiningtias, Anna E. Hiller, Djoko T. Iskandar, Rosa Alicia Jimenez, Rassim Khelifa, Roberto Marquez, Jose G. Martinez-Fonseca, Juan L. Parra, Joshua Penalba, Lina Pinto-Garcia, Onja H. Razafindratsima, Santiago R. Ron, Sara Souza, Jatna Supriatna, Rauri C. K. Bowie, Carla Cicero, Jimmy A. McGuire, Rebecca D. Tarvin
Summary: This article discusses issues of equality, inclusivity, ethics, and safety in field biology research and proposes four guiding principles for equitable practices. It also provides suggestions for global collaborators to make field biology more fair and encourages baseline training.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kyu Min Huh, Mike Ellis, Fernando Castillo, Luis Carrasco, Juan Rivero de Aguilar, Elisa Bonaccorso, Luke Browne, Jordan Karubian
Summary: Forest loss and fragmentation lead to declines in biodiversity, but hummingbirds show relative resilience to disturbance with increasing abundance and declining species richness and evenness. However, the extent and mechanisms of this pattern remain unclear. To investigate, we compared hummingbird diversity and community composition between continuous forest and disturbed fragments in northwestern Ecuador. We found higher species richness in fragments, driven by rare species captures, and differences in community composition. Canopy openness and tree density correlated with hummingbird diversity in fragments. Trade-offs between species richness in fragments and evenness in continuous forest are important for conserving this ecologically significant bird group in changing Neotropical landscapes.
Article
Parasitology
Xavier Chavarria, Nubia E. Matta, Hector Cadena-Ortiz, Ibeth Alarcon, Daniela Bahamonde-Vinueza, Angie D. Gonzalez, Elisa Bonaccorso
Summary: This study provides detailed information on the diversity of haemosporidian parasites in the ash-breasted Sierra finch in an Andean dry forest. The prevalence of infection is high, with a higher prevalence and parasitaemia for Haemoproteus than for Plasmodium. Immature individuals show a lower prevalence compared to adults.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hector Cadena-Ortiz, Martin Quiroga, Elisa Bonaccorso
Summary: Myiasis by Philornis commonly occurs in Neotropical birds, but parasitism in adults has been poorly studied compared to nestlings. In an Andean dry forest in Ecuador, we report for the first time infestations by Philornis larvae in adult birds of six species of passerine birds, and expand the knowledge of the host range and geographic distribution of the P. torquans complex.
REVISTA MEXICANA DE BIODIVERSIDAD
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Javier Fajardo, Janeth Lessmann, Christian Devenish, Elisa Bonaccorso, angel M. Felicisimo, Fernando J. M. Rojas-Runjaic, Haidy Rojas, Miguel Lentino, Jesus Munoz, Ruben G. Mateo
Summary: Protected area (PA) extent has increased globally over the past 150 years, but it is uncertain whether this expansion has led to improved ecological representation. This study examines the performance of PA networks in representing species diversity in tropical Andean countries. The study finds that recent additions to PAs have better represented species diversity overall, but threatened species and amphibians and reptiles are exceptions. Additionally, climate change is projected to decrease species representation in PAs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Ornithology
Leticia Soares, Kristina L. Cockle, Ernesto Ruelas Inzunza, Jose Tomas Ibarra, Carolina Isabel Mino, Santiago Zuluaga, Elisa Bonaccorso, Juan Camilo Rios-Orjuela, Flavia A. Montano-Centellas, Juan F. Freile, Maria A. Echeverry-Galvis, Eugenia Bianca Bonaparte, Luisa Maria Diele-Viegas, Karina Speziale, Sergio A. Cabrera-Cruz, Orlando Acevedo-Charry, Enriqueta Velarde, Cecilia Cuatianquiz Lima, Valeria S. Ojeda, Carla S. Fontana, Alejandra Echeverri, Sergio A. Lambertucci, Regina H. Macedo, Alberto Esquivel, Steven C. Latta, Irene Ruvalcaba-Ortega, Maria Alice S. Alves, Diego Santiago-Alarcon, Alejandro Bodrati, Fernando Gonzalez-Garcia, Nestor Farina, Juan Esteban Martinez-Gomez, Ruben Ortega-Alvarez, Maria Gabriela Nunez Montellano, Camila C. Ribas, Carlos Bosque, Adrian S. Di Giacomo, Juan Areta, Carine Emer, Lourdes Mugica Valdes, Clementina Gonzalez, Maria Emilia Rebollo, Giselle Mangini, Carlos Lara, Jose Cristobal Pizarro, Victor R. Cueto, Pablo Rafael Bolanos-Sittler, Juan Francisco Ornelas, Martin Acosta, Marcos Cenizo, Miguel Angelo Marini, Leopoldo D. Vazquez-Reyes, Jose Antonio Gonzalez-Oreja, Leandro Bugoni, Martin Quiroga, Valentina Ferretti, Lilian T. Manica, Juan M. Grande, Flor Rodriguez-Gomez, Soledad Diaz, Nicole Buettner, Lucia Mentesana, Marconi Campos-Cerqueira, Fernando Gabriel Lopez, Andre C. Guaraldo, Ian MacGregor-Fors, Francisca Helena Aguiar-Silva, Cristina Y. Miyaki, Silvina Ippi, Emilse Merida, Cecilia Kopuchian, Cintia Cornelius, Paula L. Enriquez, Natalia Ocampo-Penuela, Katherine Renton, Jhan C. Salazar, Luis Sandoval, Jorge Correa Sandoval, Pedro X. Astudillo, Ancilleno O. Davis, Nicolas Cantero, David Ocampo, Oscar Humberto Marin Gomez, Sergio Henrique Borges, Sergio Cordoba-Cordoba, Alejandro G. Pietrek, Carlos B. de Araujo, Guillermo Fernandez, Horacio de la Cueva, Joao Marcos Guimaraes Capurucho, Nicole A. Gutierrez-Ramos, Ariane Ferreira, Lilian Mariana Costa, Cecilia Soldatini, Hannah M. Madden, Miguel Angel Santillan, Gustavo Jimenez-Uzcategui, Emilio A. Jordan, Guilherme Henrique Silva Freitas, Paulo C. Pulgarin-R, Roberto Carlos Almazan-Nunez, Tomas Altamirano, Milka R. Gomez, Myriam C. Velazquez, Rebeca Irala, Facundo A. Gandoy, Andrea C. Trigueros, Carlos A. Ferreyra, Yuri Vladimir Albores-Barajas, Markus Tellkamp, Carine Dantas Oliveira, Andrea Weiler, Ma del Coro Arizmendi, Adrianne G. Tossas, Rebecca Zarza, Gabriel Serra, Rafael Villegas-Patraca, Facundo Gabriel Di Sallo, Cleiton Valentim, Jorge Ignacio Noriega, Giraldo Alayon Garcia, Martin R. de la Pena, Rosendo M. Fraga, Pedro Vitor Ribeiro Martins
Summary: To advance Neotropical ornithology, it is crucial to address systemic exclusion, improve research practices, and provide better funding and professional development opportunities. Collaborative leadership, investment in basic field biology research, and the promotion of anti-colonial agendas are key to progress.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Ernesto Ruelas Inzunza, Kristina L. Cockle, Maria Gabriela Nunez Montellano, Carla S. Fontana, Cecilia Cuatianquiz Lima, Maria A. Echeverry-Galvis, Ronald A. Fernandez-Gomez, Flavia A. Montano-Centellas, Elisa Bonaccorso, Sergio A. Lambertucci, Cintia Cornelius, Carlos Bosque, Leandro Bugoni, Alejandro Salinas-Melgoza, Katherine Renton, Juan F. Freile, Fernando Angulo, Lourdes Mugica Valdes, Enriqueta Velarde, Sandra Cuadros, Carolina Isabel Mino
Summary: Global-scope scientific journals have upheld colonial inequities in ornithology and now have a role to play in increasing equity in publishing. Common barriers faced by Neotropical ornithologists include biased criteria, high publication costs, language hegemony, and lack of representation. Recommended actions include adjusting publication criteria, providing free or low-cost options, offering submission in Spanish, increasing representation, and introducing reflexivity statements.
ORNITHOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Emiliano A. Depino, Jorge L. Perez-Eman, Elisa Bonaccorso, Juan I. Areta
Summary: New World crakes, including Laterallini and Pardirallini, are poorly known birds with cryptic habits. This study presents a comprehensive gene-based phylogeny of New World crakes, focusing on Laterallini. The results show polyphyly within the group, revealing previously unknown relationships. The study also highlights the need for taxonomic assessments at the generic level in Laterallini, incorporating phylogenetic and natural history data.
Article
Ornithology
Pamela Reyes, John M. Bates, Luciano N. Naka, Matthew J. Miller, Isabel Caballero, Catalina Gonzalez-Quevedo, Juan L. Parra, Hector F. Rivera-Gutierrez, Elisa Bonaccorso, Jose G. Tello
Summary: We conducted a study on the royal flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus, a bird species found in the Neotropical lowland forests. Our research focused on phylogeographic patterns and cryptic diversity within this species. By analyzing the DNA sequences of the six recognized subspecies, we identified at least six independent lineages and found high levels of intraspecific divergence within O. coronatus. Biogeographic and dating analyses suggested that various events, such as the formation of the Amazon River and climatic shifts, influenced the diversification of lineages within this genus over approximately six million years. The comparison of phylogenetic trees and patterns with other studies highlighted the complex evolutionary history of Onychorhynchus and the early divergence of some co-distributed lineages.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Boris A. Tinoco, Juan F. Freile, Paul Molina, Agustin Carrasco, Nolberto Ordonez, Elisa Bonaccorso
Summary: This article describes the ecological information research of the Blue-throated Hillstar (Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus), a critically endangered hummingbird endemic to the southern Andes of Ecuador. The study found that the species is more abundant in the western and central portions of its distribution range. Males prefer shrubby habitats while females prefer open habitats. This comprehensive evaluation of the species' ecological requirements has important potential for conservation efforts.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Elisa Bonaccorso, Carlos A. Rodriguez-Saltos, Juan F. Freile, Nicolas Penafiel, Laura Rosado-Llerena, Nora H. Oleas
Summary: Studying the genetic diversification of Oreotrochilus chimborazo revealed the evolutionary trends and population characteristics of Andean hummingbirds, indicating rapid differentiation of the species during the mid-to-late Holocene. Various conclusions were drawn in terms of population structure, gene flow, and the location of contact zones among different lineages.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Laura N. Cespedes-Arias, Andres M. Cuervo, Elisa Bonaccorso, Marialejandra Castro-Farias, Alejandro Mendoza-Santacruz, Jorge L. Perez-Eman, Christopher C. Witt, Carlos Daniel Cadena
Summary: This study focuses on a hybrid zone involving two closely related Andean warblers, analyzing plumage traits and genetic variation. Results show a hybrid zone approximately 200 km wide, where intermediate plumage phenotypes are common and pure forms do not geographically overlap.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Markus Osaland Fjelde, Einar Timdal, Reidar Haugan, Mika Bendiksby
Summary: This study investigated the taxonomy of the crustose lichen genus Calvitimela using molecular phylogenetics and morphological observations. The results revealed evolutionarily old and deeply divergent lineages within Calvitimela, with overlapping morphological characters between different subgenera. Chemical characters were informative at the level of subgenera but often homoplastic at the species level. A practical taxonomy of Calvitimela was proposed based on these findings.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bo-Yang Shi, Da Pan, Kang-Qin Zhang, Tian-Yu Gu, Darren C. J. Yeo, Peter K. L. Ng, Neil Cumberlidge, Hong-Ying Sun
Summary: This study investigates the evolutionary history and speciation mechanisms of montane potamids in the Hengduan Mountains Region. The results suggest that the vicariance events of these crabs are correlated with the emergence of sky islands due to the uplift of the mountains. The mountain ridges provided corridors for their dispersal and past climatic conditions played a crucial role in their evolutionary history. The mechanisms isolating sky islands are reinforced by the climatic features of dry-hot valleys and continue to affect local diversification.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Attila Nemeth, Edvard Mizsei, Levente Laczko, David Czaban, Zsolt Hegyeli, Szabolcs Lengyel, Gabor Csorba, Gabor Sramko
Summary: Species delimitation of European blind mole rats is challenging due to their small morphological differences and complex chromosomal evolution. This study provides a comprehensive framework to improve understanding of their evolutionary history and revise their taxonomy. The results reveal the presence of multiple superspecies and species, with distinct geographic patterns and rapid chromosomal evolution.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Qi, Zhaoyan Zhong, Xu Liu, Xing He, Yadong Zhou, Lili Zhang, Chong Chen, Katrin Linse, Jian-Wen Qiu, Jin Sun
Summary: This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships among patellogastropod families using mitochondrial and phylogenomic data. The results show that the mitochondrial phylogeny recovers monophyly of most families, but the relationships among families are still contentious. However, a more robust family-level topology consistent with morphology is achieved by phylogenomics. Additionally, the mainly deep-water families are found to be monophyletic, suggesting a single colonization of the deep water during the Jurassic.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Jie Shi, Jin -Liang Huang, Jia-Xuan Mi, Jing Li, Fan-Yu Meng, Yu Zhong, Fang He, Fei -Fei Tian, Fan Zhang, Liang-Hua Chen, Han-Bo Yang, Hong-Lin Hu, Xue-Qin Wan
Summary: Despite numerous studies on hybrid speciation, our understanding of this process remains limited. In this study, we conducted an 18-year systematic investigation on Populus taxa on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and discovered three new taxa that originated from distant hybridization between two different sections. These hybrid taxa demonstrate greater ecological adaptability than their ancestral species due to heterosis. We propose a hybrid speciation process model that can explain important evolutionary concerns.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Cho, Denis Tikhonenkov, Gordon Lax, Kristina I. Prokina, Patrick J. Keeling
Summary: Unlike conspicuous ochrophytes, many small and overlooked flagellates belonging to basally branching stramenopiles remain poorly characterized at the cellular or genomic level. This study describes four new species, including two new genera, of sediment-dwelling MAST-6 and provides updated phylogenomic tree of stramenopiles. The characterization of these flagellates is important due to their phylogenetic diversity and abundance in various environments.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tian-Tian Xue, Steven B. Janssens, Bin-Bin Liu, Sheng-Xiang Yu
Summary: Phylogenomic conflicts are widespread among genomic data, with most previous studies primarily focusing on nuclear datasets instead of organellar genomes. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic conflicts within and between plastid and mitochondrial genomes using Potentilla as a case study. We found that both plastid and mitochondrial genomes divided Potentilla into eight highly supported clades, with two newly identified clades. Our results demonstrate that mitochondrial genes can fully resolve phylogenetic relationships among major clades of Potentilla and are not always linked with plastomes in evolutionary history.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra A. Grossi, Chunpo Tian, Mengjiao Ren, Fasheng Zou, Daniel R. Gustafsson
Summary: This study suggests that the coevolutionary relationships between chewing lice, endosymbiotic bacteria, and birds are not independent, but the patterns vary depending on the analysis method used. Additionally, louse host-switching does not seem to affect bacterial strains.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Olivares, Sergio Tusso, Maria Jose Sanin, Marylaure de La Harpe, Oriane Loiseau, Jonathan Rolland, Nicolas Salamin, Michael Kessler, Kentaro K. Shimizu, Margot Paris
Summary: Traditionally, differences between species have been associated with morphological variation. However, the discovery of cryptic diversity suggests that the evolution of distinct lineages can occur without morphological differences. Through genetic analysis, we found that a tropical montane plant lineage is composed of numerous unrecognized genetic groups that are not morphologically distinct. Geographic distance and topography play a crucial role in determining the genetic divergence of these groups.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)