Abstract
In Mexico, the Long-tailed Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx macroura) is distributed in the mountains of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, Sierra Madre del Sur and Sierra Norte de Oaxaca; while the Bearded Wood-Partridge (D. barbatus) is distributed in the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO). There is a controversial overlap in distribution (sympatry) between these two species (on the Cofre de Perote and Pico de Orizaba volcanoes, SMO and Sierra Norte de Oaxaca), based on the ambiguity and current lack of information regarding the distribution of these two species. In order to disentangle the possible presence of both species in the area of sympatry, we conducted a crumble analysis of the historic knowledge regarding the geographic distribution of both species, based on a review of scientific literature, database records, the specimen examination (in ornithological collections), field work and a reconstruction of the distribution range based on Ecological Niche Modeling. Our results support the presence of only one of these two species in the overlapping area, rejecting the existence of such an area of sympatry between the two species. We discuss alternative hypotheses that could explain the historically reported distribution pattern: 1) an error in the single existing historical record; 2) a possible local extinction of the species and 3) the past existence of interspecific competition that has since been resolved under the principle of competitive exclusion. We propose that the Santo Domingo River in northern Oaxaca and western slope of the Sierra Madre Oriental, mark the distribution limits between these species.
Highlights
The wood partridge genus Dendrortyx (Galliformes, Odontophoridae) includes three species: D. leucophrys, D. macroura and D. barbatus
We compiled historical and recent occurrence information pertaining to D. macroura and D. barbatus in Mexico based on: i) historical records reported in the literature, ii) queries of digital databases of available specimen and observational records, iii) examination of specimens deposited in ornithological collections in Mexico and the United States, and iv) fieldwork throughout the known range of both species: Historical records from literature
We reviewed 26 articles containing records of D. macroura from the scientific literature; in 12 of these, the presence of this wood partridge is reported in the highlands of Veracruz, a first potential area of sympatry (Table 1)
Summary
The wood partridge genus Dendrortyx (Galliformes, Odontophoridae) includes three species: D. leucophrys, D. macroura and D. barbatus. The first of these is distributed on the mountains of Chiapas (Mexico) and from Guatemala to Costa Rica, whereas the latter two species are endemic to Mexico: D. macroura is distributed on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, the Sierra. Sympatric distribution between Dendrortyx macroura and D. barbatus
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