Diversificação da Cor da Plumagem em Lepidothrix coronata (Aves, Passeriformes): Uma Abordagem Filogenética e Ambiental

Abstract

The Neotropical biological diversity is worldwide known. Its relatively stable environments and dynamic landscapes attract evolutionary researchers interested in understanding how diversity is created and maintained. Here, we chose a bird species as a model to study evolution and species diversification. Lepidothrix coronata is a complex of eight subspecies that were described based on geographic distribution and differences in adult male plumage color. Our goal was to infer the phylogenetic relationships amongst L. coronata subspecies using partial representational genome sequencing (ddRADseq). We found 4 independent evolutionary lineages (trans-Andean; Japurá-Solimões interfluve; South Amazon from Solimões/Amazon River; and North Amazon from Japurá River) with divergence times during the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary. Our data suggest that the group divergence is mainly related to vicariant events such as the establishment of the Amazonian fluvial system and the Andes. Moreover, we found that the divergence in L. coronata may not have been affected by climate fluctuations, since all lineages were established before the tested climatic models. However, we found evidence that climatic fluctuations during the Pleistocene played a key role in secondary contact events between the Amazon lineages and might give rise to a hybrid lineage (Japurá-Solimões). Our data also showed the lack of correlation between phylogeny and taxonomy, indicating that adult male plumage color diversity in L. coronata is probably the result of retention of ancestral polymorphism potentially promoted and maintained by sexual selection. Therefore, is not a reliable taxonomic marker.