Museomics help resolving the phylogeny of snowfinches (Aves, Passeridae, Montifringilla and allies)
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.This study resolves snowfinch (family Passeridae) evolutionary history using historical DNA. It confirms distinct genera and reveals the Afghan snowfinch
Area Of Science
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
- Ornithology
Background
- Historical museum specimens offer crucial genetic material from inaccessible regions.
- Previous snowfinch (family Passeridae) phylogenies showed conflicting results, necessitating further investigation.
- The evolutionary relationships among snowfinch species, particularly those endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), remained unclear.
Purpose Of The Study
- To establish a comprehensive phylogeny of snowfinches using historical DNA.
- To resolve phylogenetic conflicts and clarify genus boundaries within snowfinches.
- To investigate the evolutionary origins and divergence of the Afghan snowfinch (Pyrgilauda theresae) and the white-winged snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis).
Main Methods
- Generated novel mitogenome sequences from historical whole skin specimens.
- Performed genome-wide SNP data acquisition using ddRAD sequencing for extant snowfinch species.
- Conducted phylogenetic analyses incorporating historical DNA, mitogenomes, and SNP data.
Main Results
- Phylogenetic reconstructions refuted the paraphyly of genus Pyrgilauda and corrected misidentifications caused by chimeric mitogenomes.
- Established reciprocal monophyly for genera Montifringilla and Pyrgilauda, with Onychostruthus sister to Pyrgilauda.
- Dated the divergence of Asian and European clades of Montifringilla nivalis to 1.5–2.7 million years ago (mya) and suggested P. theresae originated from an ancient Pliocene dispersal.
Conclusions
- The study provides a robust phylogeny for snowfinches, clarifying taxonomic relationships and genus delimitations.
- Historical DNA is vital for avian evolutionary studies, especially for rare or geographically restricted species.
- The findings shed light on the biogeographic history of snowfinches, including out-of-Tibet dispersal events and Quaternary climate-driven divergence.
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