PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF THE WRENTIT BASED ON MITOCHONDRIAL CYTOCHROME b SEQUENCES

Abstract

Abstract The phylogenetic relationship of the Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata) to other passerine birds is understood poorly. A variety of taxa have been proposed as closely related to the Wrentit, but in general this species is placed in a monotypic taxon to emphasize its morphological distinctiveness and lack of clear relationship to other groups of birds. We used the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene to infer the relationship of this monotypic genus to other avian groups including representatives of Sylvioidea, Muscicapoidea, and Passeroidea. Results of this study corroborate in part earlier proposals based on DNA-DNA hybridization. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses support the Wrentit, Sylvia, and babblers (Garrulax, Illadopsis, Leiothrix, Pomatorhinus, Stachyris, and Yuhina) as a clade, with the Wrentit sharing a more recent common ancestor with Sylvia than with babblers. A Sylvia and Wrentit association is further supported by similarities in morphology and ecology. I...