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DNA barcode detects high genetic structure within neotropical bird species
Erika Sendra Tavares1, Priscila Gonçalves, Cristina Yumi Miyaki
1Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. erika.tavares@utoronto.ca
Plos One
|December 14, 2011
Summary
DNA barcoding reveals significant genetic structure within Neotropical bird species, indicating underestimated species diversity and complex evolutionary histories. This highlights the need for further taxonomic revisions in this biodiverse region.
Area of Science:
- Ornithology
- Molecular Ecology
- Biodiversity Science
Background:
- Neotropical bird species exhibit higher diversity and pronounced phylogeographic subdivision at lower latitudes.
- Recent studies suggest Neotropical bird species numbers are underestimated, with new genetically isolated populations frequently identified.
- Previous COI barcoding in Argentina revealed more complex regional divergence patterns in Neotropical than North American birds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend Neotropical bird DNA barcode surveys to lower latitudes.
- To assess geographic structure within species and identify potential new species.
- To evaluate the utility of COI barcoding for taxonomic revisions and understanding diversification.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1,431 DNA samples from 561 Neotropical bird species.
- DNA barcoding using the COI gene.
- Phylogenetic analysis to assess species monophyly and intraspecific divergence.
Main Results:
- 93% of species were correctly identified by DNA barcodes.
- 41 species showed non-monophyletic COI sequences, with 21 sharing barcodes with related species and 20 containing divergent clusters suggesting putative new species.
- Deep intraspecific divergences, overlapping with interspecific differences, were found in 48 species, often correlating with ecoregional boundaries.
Conclusions:
- High incidence of non-monophyletic species and putative new species create taxonomic uncertainty, complicating studies of Neotropical bird diversification.
- COI barcoding is effective in identifying taxa requiring further taxonomic revision using multilocus approaches.
- Results support the hypothesis that Neotropical avian megadiversity results from multiple geographic processes spanning from pre-Quaternary to recent geological periods.
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