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Reconstructing plumage evolution in orioles (Icterus): repeated convergence and reversal in patterns
1James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History and Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA. omland@umbc.edu
Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|February 24, 2001
Summary
New World oriole plumage evolves rapidly, showing high convergence and homoplasy. This rapid evolution, driven by lability and constraints, cautions against using plumage alone for evolutionary trees.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Ornithology
- Phylogenetics
Background:
- Sexually selected traits, like bird plumage, are known to evolve quickly.
- High levels of convergence and homoplasy are observed in these traits.
- Theoretical exploration of convergence drivers and robust phylogenetic studies are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary processes generating convergence in New World oriole plumage.
- To rigorously assess plumage evolution using a molecular phylogeny and numerous characters.
- To determine the lability and conservation patterns of oriole plumage.
Main Methods:
- Scored 44 adult male plumage characters in New World orioles (Icterus).
- Mapped plumage characters onto a molecular phylogeny derived from two mitochondrial genes.
- Reconstructed character evolution to identify convergence and reversals, calculating retention and consistency indices.
Main Results:
- Convergence or reversal observed in 42 out of 44 plumage characters.
- Plumage character states were not restricted to higher taxonomic groups.
- High homoplasy indicated by low retention index (0.66) and consistency index (0.28).
- Plumage is labile between species but conserved within the genus.
- Two overall plumage types convergently evolved across oriole clades, conflicting with molecular data.
Conclusions:
- New World oriole plumage exhibits rapid evolution and high lability between species, yet is conserved within the genus.
- Evolutionary constraints, such as developmental limitations and genetic correlations, likely contribute to homoplasy.
- Overall plumage convergence creates conflict with molecular phylogenies, advising caution when using plumage for constructing evolutionary trees.
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