Molecular Phylogenetics and Biogeography: Typical, Piping and Wattled Guans (Cracidae)

Author(s)

Erwin Tramontini Grau

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2008-08-19

Examining board members

Anita Wajntal; Jaqueline Maria Goerck; Luiz Antonio Pedreira Gonzaga; Sergio Russo Matioli; Diogo Meyer

• Advisor: Anita Wajntal

Abstract

Cracids are large frugivorous Neotropical birds. Comprise 10 genera and 50 species that can be grouped as currasows, chachalacas, guans and Horned Guan. Molecular phylogenetic and biogeographic studies in this family were already performed for intergeneric relationships and among curassows species. Molecular data for intrageneric relationships for guans were not available. Guans comprise 23 species of four genera [Aburria, Chamaepetes, Penelope, and Penelopina] that range from México to Argentina. We estimated the phylogenetic relationships among species of the genus Penelope, including 13 species and about 13kb of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (Bayesian and Maximum Parsimony) and among species of the genus Aburria (plus Pipile), including 5 species and about 2,7 kb of mitochondrial DNA (Bayesian, Maximum Likelihood and Maximum Parsimony). Results indicate Penelope as monophyletic and Pipile as paraphyletic group. Therefore, we suggest that Pipile should be merged with Aburria, the oldest described genus. For the genus Penelope: Penelope obscura, with three subspecies sampled, appears as paraphyletic group. We suggest that they should be considered as valid species. Molecular dating of divergence time was estimated. The diversification among guans seems to have occurred from Miocene to Pleistocene. Marine transgression, the rise of the Andes, and the subsequent changes in river basins in south America, formation of Amazon Lagoon and habitat specializations seems to be the major factors affecting guan diversification. (AU)