Article
Ecology
Bruno F. Melo, James S. Albert, Fernando C. P. Dagosta, Victor A. Tagliacollo
Summary: The study investigated the spatial diversification patterns of Neotropical freshwater fish in the family Curimatidae, revealing their origin likely in lowland paleodrainages of northwestern South America and subsequent dispersal to upland river basins in the Cenozoic. Colonization of upland drainages is often associated with increased rates of net diversification, particularly in species-rich genera. The findings suggest that Amazonian lowlands serve as a museum for accumulating species over time, while transitions to uplands stimulate higher net diversification rates and lineage diversification.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Lydian M. Boschman, Fabien L. Condamine
Summary: The study explores the impact of climate-driven and geology-driven factors on the evolutionary rates of ancient organisms in the South American Andes. Different clades diversified at different times due to mountain building, with some showing correlation with temperature variations and others with elevation changes. This underscores the importance of understanding the complexity of mountain building in shaping biodiversity patterns.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Claudia Fegies, Ana Paula Carmignotto, Manolo Fernandez Perez, Mariana Dias Guilardi, Ana Claudia Lessinger
Summary: Systematic revisions of South American marsupials have enhanced our understanding of genus and species diversity, with the study of Cryptonanus genus providing valuable insights into their phylogeny and evolution through analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers. The diversification of Cryptonanus species is suggested to have occurred during the Quaternary, with best supported biogeographical hypothesis indicating speciation by vicariance and subset speciation in dry tropical landscapes of South America.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Josefin Stiller, Graham Short, Healy Hamilton, Norah Saarman, Sarah Longo, Peter Wainwright, Greg W. Rouse, W. Brian Simison
Summary: By sampling ultraconserved elements and taxon, we reconstructed the phylogeny of syngnathids and discovered previously overlooked species diversity and significant biogeographic patterns. The changes in diversification rates suggest possible links to declining global temperatures, the separation of the Atlantic and Pacific faunas, and associated environmental changes.
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David A. Lopez-Cordova, Jorge Avaria-Llautureo, Patricio M. Ulloa, Heather E. Braid, Liam J. Revell, Dirk Fuchs, Christian M. Ibanez
Summary: Coleoids are the most diverse group of cephalopod mollusks, originating in the Mesozoic and showing an increasing diversification rate during the Cenozoic. Analyses revealed abrupt increases in diversification rate before and after the K-Pg boundary.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Camila Leitao Nacif, Diogo Lisboa Bastos, Beatriz Mello, Ana Lazar, Erika Hingst-Zaher, Lena Geise, Cibele Rodrigues Bonvicino
Summary: Trinomys, one of the species-rich spiny rat genera in Brazil, has a wide distribution and currently includes ten recognized species, three of which are polytypic. However, there is considerable incongruence regarding species boundaries. In this study, through intensive sampling and the use of molecular and computational methods, it was discovered that Trinomys consists of at least 16 evolutionary lineages, 13 of which are recognized as species or subspecies.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Leony Dias de Oliveira, Willam Oliveira da Silva, Marlyson Jeremias Rodrigues da Costa, Jeferson Costa Carneiro, Iracilda Sampaio, Juliane Saldanha da Silva, Rogerio Vieira Rossi, Ana Cristina Mendes-Oliveira, Julio Cesar Pieczarka, Cleusa Yoshiko Nagamachi
Summary: Morphological, molecular and chromosomal studies have improved understanding of taxonomic design, phylogenetic relationships, and karyotypic patterns in the genera Lonchothrix and Mesomys. Recent molecular investigations have revealed previously unknown diversity in these taxa. This study focused on understanding the karyotypic evolution and geographic limits of the genus Mesomys using classical and molecular cytogenetic analysis and mitochondrial gene sequencing. The research identified a new karyotype for M. hispidus, a new lineage, and new distribution data for M. hispidus and M. stimulax through a multidisciplinary approach.
Article
Zoology
Juan Sebastian Florez, Carlos Daniel Cadena, Carlos Donascimiento, Mauricio Torres
Summary: In the karstic region of the Andes of Santander, cave-dwelling catfish in the genus Trichomycterus exhibit variable levels of reduction of eyes and body pigmentation, which provides ample potential to study questions related to convergent adaptation to cave environments. The mitochondrial DNA sequences suggest that caves in this region have been colonized independently by two separate clades, with possible additional events of cave colonization in one clade. This system is promising for studies on a wide range of ecological and evolutionary questions.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Carlos E. Gonzalez-Orozco, Allende Pesca
Summary: This study proposes a new biogeographical regionalization of cultivated cacao in Colombia, based on spatial partitioning, climate variable mapping, and hierarchical classification. Four main regions, along with 31 sub-regions and 54 provinces, were identified using cocoa farm distributions and geospatial data. Solar radiation, precipitation, and soil temperature seasonality were found to be the main factors explaining the biogeographical regions. River networks also played a role in explaining sub-regional and provincial differences. This up-to-date classification can be a valuable tool for agricultural planning and the development of denominations of origin for cacao in Colombia.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiantao Hu, Hongjie Li, Harumi Sakai, Takahiko Mukai, Ho Young Suk, Chenhong Li
Summary: In this study, a robust phylogeny of the genus Odontobutis was built based on comprehensive molecular data collection and analysis. Divergence time estimation and ancestral range reconstruction indicated that the common ancestor of modern Odontobutis was likely distributed in Japan, southern China, or the Korean Peninsula. Geographical events in East Asia since the late Miocene, such as the opening of the Japan/East Sea and climate change, might have contributed to the diversification and current distribution pattern of Odontobutis.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(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
Camilo Lopez-Aguirre, John M. Ratcliffe, Mary T. Silcox
Summary: This study assessed the relationship between morphological divergence and diet in the bat superfamily Noctilionoidea. The results showed a significant association between morphological divergence and coexistence, with distinctive patterns observed in different dietary groups.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xing Liu, Hui-Min Cai, Wen-Qiao Wang, Wei Lin, Zhi-Wei Su, Zhong-Hui Ma
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between fruit colour variation and species diversification in the genus Callicarpa. The results showed that fruit colours were correlated with biogeographic distribution, dispersal events, and diversification rate. Violet-fruited lineages were associated with large-scale dispersal events and highest diversification rates.
Article
Geography, Physical
Julieth Serrano, James E. Richardson, Richard Milne, G. Ariadna Mondragon, Julie A. Hawkins, Igor Bartish, Mailyn Gonzalez, Jerome Chave, Santiago Madrinan, Dairon Cardenas, S. Dayana Sanchez, Rocio Cortes-, R. Toby Pennington
Summary: Studying the migration and diversification history of Sapotaceae subfamily Chrysophylloideae in the lowland Neotropical rainforest can help us understand the impacts of the Andean uplift, the formation of the Panama land bridge, and Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. It was found that the Andes did not act as a significant barrier to dispersal for Sapotaceae, and dispersal between South and Central America mainly occurred prior to the formation of the Panama land bridge.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Tharaka Kusuminda, Amani Mannakkara, Rajika Gamage, Bruce D. Patterson, Wipula B. Yapa
Summary: This study investigated the day roosts used by insectivorous bat species in tea plantations of Sri Lanka, finding that most recorded roosts were geomorphic, some were anthropogenic, and a few were in vegetation. H. lankadiva and M. cf. fuliginosus are the only species known to exclusively roost in geomorphic roosts, while others are more opportunistic. Maintaining and protecting natural roosts is crucial for bat conservation, and the introduction of artificial roosts may help increase bat populations for pest control in agricultural landscapes like tea plantations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
R. Benjamin Sulser, Bruce D. Patterson, Daniel J. Urban, April I. Neander, Zhe-Xi Luo
Summary: Phylogenomics of bats suggests that their echolocation either evolved separately in the bat suborders Yinpterochiroptera and Yangochiroptera, or had a single origin in bat ancestors and was later lost in some yinpterochiropterans. The observation of highly derived structures of the spiral ganglion in yangochiropteran bats suggests a neuroanatomical evolutionary driver for their diverse echolocating strategies. These features are highly variable across major clades and may be associated with the explosive diversification of yangochiropterans.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
L. D. Bertola, M. Vermaat, F. Lesilau, M. Chege, P. N. Tumenta, E. A. Sogbohossou, O. D. Schaap, H. Bauer, B. D. Patterson, P. A. White, H. H. de Iongh, J. F. J. Laros, K. Vrieling
Summary: This study used low-depth whole genome sequencing to analyze ten lions sampled across their geographic range, resulting in the discovery of over 150,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Phylogenetic analysis revealed the split between northern and southern populations, as well as four population clusters on a local scale. A SNP panel was designed and tested on over 200 lions, allowing individuals to be assigned to one of the four major clades and providing detailed delineation of these clades.
Article
Ecology
Charles J. Marsh, Yanina V. Sica, Connor J. Burgin, Wendy A. Dorman, Robert C. Anderson, Isabel del Toro Mijares, Jessica G. Vigneron, Vijay Barve, Victoria L. Dombrowik, Michelle Duong, Robert Guralnick, Julie A. Hart, J. Krish Maypole, Kira McCall, Ajay Ranipeta, Anna Schuerkmann, Michael A. Torselli, Thomas Lacher, Russell A. Mittermeier, Anthony B. Rylands, Wes Sechrest, Don E. Wilson, Agustin M. Abba, Luis F. Aguirre, Joaquin Arroyo-Cabrales, Diego Astua, Andrew M. Baker, Gill Braulik, Janet K. Braun, Jorge Brito, Peter E. Busher, Santiago F. Burneo, M. Alejandra Camacho, Paolo Cavallini, Elisandra de Almeida Chiquito, Joseph A. Cook, Tamas Cserkesz, Gabor Csorba, Erika Cuellar Soto, Valeria da Cunha Tavares, Tim R. B. Davenport, Thomas Demere, Christiane Denys, Christopher R. Dickman, Mark D. B. Eldridge, Eduardo Fernandez-Duque, Charles M. Francis, Greta Frankham, William L. Franklin, Thales Freitas, J. Anthony Friend, Elizabeth L. Gadsby, Guilherme S. T. Garbino, Philippe Gaubert, Norberto Giannini, Thomas Giarla, Jason S. Gilchrist, Jaime Gongora, Steven M. Goodman, Sharon Gursky-Doyen, Klaus Hacklander, Mark S. Hafner, Melissa Hawkins, Kristofer M. Helgen, Steven Heritage, Arlo Hinckley, Stefan Hintsche, Mary Holden, Kay E. Holekamp, Rodney L. Honeycutt, Brent A. Huffman, Tatyana Humle, Rainer Hutterer, Carlos Ibanez Ulargui, Stephen M. Jackson, Jan Janecka, Mary Janecka, Paula Jenkins, Rimvydas Juskaitis, Javier Juste, Roland Kays, C. William Kilpatrick, Tigga Kingston, John L. Koprowski, Boris Krystufek, Tyrone Lavery, Thomas E. Lee, Yuri L. R. Leite, Roberto Leonan M. Novaes, Burton K. Lim, Andrey Lissovsky, Raquel Lopez-Antonanzas, Adria Lopez-Baucells, Colin D. MacLeod, Fiona G. Maisels, Michael A. Mares, Helene Marsh, Stefano Mattioli, Erik Meijaard, Ara Monadjem, F. Blake Morton, Grace Musser, Tilo Nadler, Ryan W. Norris, Agustina Ojeda, Nicte Ordonez-Garza, Ulyses F. J. Pardinas, Bruce D. Patterson, Ana Pavan, Michael Pennay, Calebe Pereira, Joyce Prado, Helder L. Queiroz, Matthew Richardson, Erin P. Riley, Stephen J. Rossiter, Daniel I. Rubenstein, Dennisse Ruelas, Jorge Salazar-Bravo, Stephanie Schai-Braun, Cody J. Schank, Christoph Schwitzer, Lori K. Sheeran, Myron Shekelle, Georgy Shenbrot, Pipat Soisook, Sergio Solari, Richard Southgate, Mariella Superina, Andrew B. Taber, Mauricio Talebi, Peter Taylor, Thong Vu Dinh, Nelson Ting, Diego G. Tirira, Susan Tsang, Samuel T. Turvey, Raul Valdez, Victor Van Cakenberghe, Geraldine Veron, Janette Wallis, Rod Wells, Danielle Whittaker, Elizabeth A. Williamson, George Wittemyer, John Woinarski, Dietmar Zinner, Nathan S. Upham, Walter Jetz
Summary: This article introduces a database of global mammal species' native range maps, including various tools for integration with other data. These expert maps provide basic information for broad-scale research and conservation.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Glenda M. Pozo-Zamora, Niels Krabbe, Patricio Mena-Valenzuela, Jonas Nilsson, Jorge Brito
Summary: The Cordillera del Kutuku in southeastern Ecuador is partially isolated from the Andes mountain range. Limited roads and the policies of the Shuar ethnic group have contributed to the conservation of the forests, especially those above 1800 meters. This remote area protects important biodiversity, threatened bird populations, and the culture of indigenous groups.
REVISTA PERUANA DE BIOLOGIA
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jenny Curay, David Mantilla, Jorge Brito
Summary: Our survey in Lita, Ecuador revealed a high density and diversity of non-volant mammals, particularly rodents.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jhael A. Ortega, Jorge Brito, Santiago R. Ron
Summary: This article describes six new species of the genus Pristimantis from Amazonian cloud forests in Ecuador and presents a phylogeny showing their relationships. Additionally, the osteology of two new species is described using high-resolution x-ray computed tomography.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Amanda L. Grunwald, Terrence C. Demos, Yvette Ngueagni, Martin N. Tchamba, Ara Monadjem, Paul W. Webala, Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans, Bruce D. Patterson, Luis A. Ruedas
Summary: The Cameroon Volcanic Line is an important area for the study of small mammals. A new species of bat was discovered in the central region of Cameroon, but its conservation status is a concern due to the threats to its habitat.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jorge Salazar-Bravo, Nicolas Tinoco, Horacio Zeballos, Jorge Brito, Daniela Arenas-Viveros, David Marin-C, Jose Daniel Ramirez-Fernandez, Alexandre R. Percequillo, Thomas E. Lee Jr, Sergio Solari, Javier Colmenares-Pinzon, Carlos Nivelo, Bernal Rodriguez Herrera, William Merino, Cesar E. Medina, Oscar Murillo-Garcia, Ulyses F. J. Pardinas
Summary: This study conducted an integrative study of the systematics and biogeography of the Neotropical cricetid rodents, Ichthyomyini. The results obtained are inconsistent with the currently accepted classification and understanding of the tribe. It was also found that Ichthyomyini is one of the main Andean radiations of sigmodontine cricetids with an evolutionary history dating to the Late Miocene.
Article
Zoology
Carlos Nivelo-Villavicencio, Jorge Brito, Amanda B. Quezada, Leonardo Alava, Ulyses F. J. Pardinas
Summary: The cricetid rodent Rhagomys septentrionalis, previously known only from Ecuador, has been found in four new localities documenting a northward range extension of about 300 km. New evidence includes nests and a video of an individual in the wild, which have not been documented before. Distribution models indicate that R. septentrionalis has a potentially large geographic range along the eastern Andean Forest. This finding suggests that rarity in sigmodontines is primarily due to limited field efforts and highlights the importance of conducting thorough surveys.
Article
Zoology
Diego Batallas, Jorge Brito
Summary: In this study, the calls of Pristimantis galdi and Pristimantis katoptroides are described for the first time. Recordings were obtained in Sangay National Park, Ecuador. The importance of recording P. galdi is emphasized as its call had not been recorded for 153 years since it was described as a species. The call of P. galdi consists of 7 to 9 short notes resembling a hammer hitting a nail, with a mean dominant frequency of 2.39 kHz. On the other hand, the call of P. katoptroides is a single note resembling a metallic tic, with a mean dominant frequency of 1.74 kHz. Despite morphological similarities, their advertisement calls are different. Obtaining calls of Pristimantis species in Ecuador might be challenging with short-term studies, thus active and passive monitoring could aid in improving our understanding of acoustic signals in Ecuador's rainfrogs.
Letter
Ecology
Lou Jost, Mario Humberto Yanez-Munoz, Jorge Brito, Carolina Reyes-Puig, Juan Pablo Reyes-Puig, Juan M. Guayasamin, Santiago R. Ron, Catalina Quintana, Gabriel Iturralde, Luis Baquero, Marco Monteros, Alina Freire-Fierro, Diana Fernandez, Glenda Mendieta-Leiva, J. Francisco Morales, Adam P. Karremans, J. Antonio Vazquez-Garcia, Gerardo A. Salazar, Eric Hagsater, Rodolfo Solano, German Carnevali Fernandez-Concha, Marcelo Arana
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Terrence C. Demos, Paul W. Webala, Steven M. Goodman, Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans, Holly L. Lutz, Bernard R. Agwanda, Natalia Cortes-Delgado, Stefania Briones, Richard H. Ree, Bruce D. Patterson
Summary: African-Malagasy species of the bat genus Miniopterus have seen a significant increase in newly recognized species over the past 15 years, particularly from Madagascar and the neighboring Comoros. The conservative morphology of Miniopterus and limited geographic sampling in continental Africa have contributed to the deficit of continental species. Through genomic analysis, it has been found that African and Malagasy Miniopterus diversified in the late Miocene, with the possibility of seven new species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Nicolas Tinoco, Claudia Koch, Javier E. Colmenares-Pinzon, Francisco X. Castellanos, Jorge Brito
Summary: A new species of the Neacomys genus, Neacomys marci, previously misidentified as Neacomys tenuipes, has been discovered in the Choco biogeographic region in northwestern Ecuador. This finding increases the diversity of the Neacomys genus to 24 species, making it one of the most diverse genera within the sigmodontine rodents.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Bruce D. Patterson
Summary: One of the most famous exhibits at the Field Museum of Natural History is the man-eating lions of Tsavo. These lions stalked and killed railroad workers constructing a bridge over the Tsavo River in 1898. Engineer J.H. Patterson eventually killed the lions and wrote a best-selling book about his experience. The lions' skins and skulls provide a factual account of the events, highlighting the potential of natural history museums to illuminate the world's history.
CURATOR-THE MUSEUM JOURNAL
(2023)