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A phylogeny of white-eyes based on ultraconserved elements
Carl H Oliveros1, Michael J Andersen2, Robert G Moyle1
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
|August 1, 2021
Summary
This study clarifies the evolutionary relationships of white-eyes (Zosteropidae), a diverse bird family. Our findings reveal seven major white-eye clades and three distinct groups within the Zosterops genus.
Area of Science:
- Avian evolutionary biology
- Phylogenetics and Biogeography
- Speciation theory
Background:
- White-eyes (Zosteropidae) represent an iconic avian radiation with significant ecological and evolutionary importance.
- The rapid radiation of Zosterops white-eyes across the Afro- and Indo-Pacific tropics is well-documented, but their precise phylogenetic history remains unclear.
- Understanding the evolutionary pathways of this speciose family is crucial for biogeographical and speciation research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To infer the phylogeny of the avian family Zosteropidae using a comprehensive genetic dataset.
- To resolve the evolutionary relationships and clarify the phylogenetic history of white-eye genera and species.
- To identify major clades within the Zosteropidae family, particularly within the speciose Zosterops radiation.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of thousands of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) from a large sample of white-eye species.
- Phylogenetic inference using concatenated maximum likelihood and species tree methods.
- Sampling included 77% of genera and 47% of known species within the Zosteropidae family.
Main Results:
- Strong phylogenetic support was found for seven distinct clades of white-eyes across the family.
- Three well-supported clades were identified within the species-rich Zosterops radiation.
- The study provides a robust phylogenetic framework for future research on white-eye evolution.
Conclusions:
- The inferred phylogeny clarifies the evolutionary history and diversification patterns of Zosteropidae.
- The identified clades provide a foundation for understanding the biogeography and speciation processes in white-eyes.
- This research significantly advances our knowledge of this iconic avian radiation.
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