Diversification rate-shifting patterns for global colour-polymorphic birds

Abstract

Diversification rate-shifting patterns for global colour-polymorphic birds were reported using both the piecewise Akaike information criterion (AIC) selection procedure and time-dependent rate-shifting continuous models. The phylogenies of five major orders of colour-polymorphic birds, obtained from a previous study, were considered for the present analysis, including Strigiformes, Caprimulgiformes, Falconidae, Accipitridae and Galliformes. The results showed that when using the MEDUSA piecewise method for the order Galliformes, a diversification-shifting event was found in the family of Cracidae. For the phylogeny of the order Accipitridae, twice rate-shifting patterns were identified over the phylogeny. For this bird order, the clades have accelerated diversification rates from low to high (0.0928 to 0.239 to 1.003) when the evolutionary history moves from the historical time to the contemporary time. At last, for other three orders, Falconidae, Caprimulgiformes and Strigiformes, no rate-shifting patter...