Phylogeography and population dynamics of Antbirds (Thamnophilidae) from Amazonian fluvial islands

Author(s)

Choueri, Erik L. ^[1] ; Gubili, Chrysoula ^{[2, 3]} ; Borges, Sergio H. ^{[2, 4]} ; Thom, Gregory ^[5] ; Sawakuchi, Andre O. ^[6] ; Soares, Emilio A. A. ^[7] ; Ribas, Camila C. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] INPA, Programa Posgrad Ecol, Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[2] INPA, Coordenacao Biodiversidade, Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[3] Hellen Agr Org, Fisheries Res Inst, Nea Peramos - Greece

^[4] Univ Fed Amazonas, Dept Zool, Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Genet & Biol Evolut, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Geociencias, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[7] Univ Fed Amazonas, Dept Geociencias, Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Biogeography; v. 44, n. 10, p. 2284-2294, OCT 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the evolution of the avifauna associated to Amazonian fluvial islands, focusing on the Negro River archipelagos. Locations: Fluvial islands in the Amazon Basin. Methods: One generalist floodplain species (Hypocnemoides melanopogon) and three river island specialists (Myrmotherula assimilis, Myrmoborus lugubris and Thamnophilus nigrocinereus) were studied (Thamnophilidae). We sequenced two mitochondrial genes and genotyped eight microsatellite loci. Phylogenetic relationships among intraspecific lineages and divergence times were estimated using Bayesian Inference. Haplotype networks, AMOVA (analysis of molecular variance) and Mantel tests were used to verify the spatial organization of genetic diversity. Gene flow and population structure were evaluated using a dissimilarity index, Bayesian inference and allele frequencies. Historical demography was inferred through neutrality tests and Extended Bayesian skyline plots (EBSP). Results: River island specialists have evolved distinct lineages in different Amazonian tributaries, but exhibit very weak population structure within the Negro river basin. The generalist floodplain species had no population structure along the Amazon basin or within the Negro river basin. Signals of weak and recent (Pleistocene) population expansion were recovered for all species. Main conclusions: River islands specialists show stronger population structure within Amazonia than floodplain generalists. They show a common spatial and temporal pattern of divergence between populations from the Negro islands and western Amazonia (upper and middle Solimoes), which may be related to Amazonian drainage evolution. Island specialists had low genetic diversity within the Negro basin, while the higher and unstructured diversity pattern found in the floodplain generalist species may be a consequence of higher dispersal caused by the seasonal flooding pulse. River islands populations have a recent and dynamic history of contact and isolation, with small historical fluctuations of population sizes, which is in sharp contrast with the patterns found in upland forest birds. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/12551-7 - Comparative phylogeography of three "varzea" forest bird lineages: surveying new biogeographic patterns for Amazonia
• Grantee: Gregory Thom e Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/00113-2 - Comparative phylogeography of four Amazonian lineages of birds: accessing biogeographic patterns based on ultra-conserved elements
• Grantee: Gregory Thom e Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/06609-1 - Provenance, transport and storage of sediments in Amazon rivers
• Grantee: André Oliveira Sawakuchi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/50260-6 - Structure and evolution of the Amazonian biota and its environment: an integrative approach
• Grantee: Lúcia Garcez Lohmann
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants