Polytypic Species Research Articles

Life histories and ecotype conservation in an adaptive vertebrate: Genetic constitution of piscivorous brown trout covaries with habitat stability.

Ecotype variation in species exhibiting different life history strategies may reflect heritable adaptations to optimize reproductive success, and potential for speciation. Traditionally, ecotypes have, however, been defined by morphometrics and life history characteristics, which may be confounded with individual plasticity. Here, we use the widely distributed and polytypic freshwater fish species brown trout (Salmo trutta) as a model to study piscivorous life history and its genetic characteristics in environmentally contrasting habitats; a large lake ecosystem with one major large and stable tributary, and several small tributaries. Data from 550 fish and 13 polymorphic microsatellites (H e = 0.67) indicated ecotype‐specific genetic differentiation (θ = 0.0170, p < .0001) among Bayesian assigned small riverine resident and large, lake migrating brown trout (>35 cm), but only in the large tributary. In contrast, large trout did not constitute a distinct genetic group in small tributaries, or across riverine sites. Whereas life history data suggest a small, river resident and a large migratory piscivorous ecotype in all studied tributaries, genetic data indicated that a genetically distinct piscivorous ecotype is more likely to evolve in the large and relatively more stable river habitat. In the smaller tributaries, ecotypes apparently resulted from individual plasticity. Whether different life histories and ecotypes result from individual plasticity or define different genetic types, have important consequence for conservation strategies.

The distributions of the six species constituting the smooth newt species complex (Lissotriton vulgaris sensu lato and L. montandoni) – an addition to the New Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe

Abstract The ‘smooth newt’, the taxon traditionally referred to as Lissotriton vulgaris, consists of multiple morphologically distinct taxa. Given the uncertainty concerning the validity and rank of these taxa, L. vulgaris sensu lato has often been treated as a single, polytypic species. A recent study, driven by genetic data, proposed to recognize five species, L. graecus, L. kosswigi, L. lantzi, L. schmidtleri and a more restricted L. vulgaris. The Carpathian newt L. montandoni was confirmed to be a closely related sister species. We propose to refer to this collective of six Lissotriton species as the smooth newt or Lissotriton vulgaris species complex. Guided by comprehensive genomic data from throughout the range of the smooth newt species complex we 1) delineate the distribution ranges, 2) provide a distribution database, and 3) produce distribution maps according to the format of the New Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles of Europe, for the six constituent species. This allows us to 4) highlight regions where more research is needed to determine the position of contact zones.

The unusual case of the widely distributed fiddler crab Minuca rapax (Smith, 1870) from the western Atlantic: an exemplary polytypic species

A classic dilemma in taxonomy is distinguishing intraspecific from interspecific variation. In order to better comprehend the process of divergence and speciation, we examine morphological, genetic, developmental and behavioural variation among related fiddler crab populations from eastern North America, the Caribbean and South America. We chose geographically remote populations that appear related to Minuca rapax (Smith, 1870). First, using females from across the range of the species, we use geometric morphometric techniques to identify regional differences in carapace shape. Second, in the northern portion of the range, the Caribbean into the Gulf of Mexico, we report variation in the relationship between corporal size and cheliped length in males. Third, we examine the major components of the courtship waves produced by males from several locations in the western Gulf of Mexico. Fourth, we compare the structure of the gastric mill between different populations in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. And, fifth, we use mitochondrial 16S rDNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I as genetic markers to define the phylogeographic relationship among specimens from more than 20 populations. From these studies, we find discrete, distinct populations across the original range of the species. In particular, populations in the northern Gulf of Mexico appear to represent a lineage that has resulted from limited gene flow and sustained selection pressures. On the basis of the observed degree of divergence, it is apparent that some separated populations in M. rapax should be recognised as evolutionary significant units. The geographic range of these populations is consistent with the historical range for Minuca virens (Salmon &amp;amp; Atsaides, 1968), a putative species that otherwise cannot be consistently distinguished from M. rapax based on discrete external morphological characters. This study provides evidence for M. virens as an emergent but possibly not completely isolated subclade of the M. rapax species complex.

Species limits in the Morelet’s Alligator lizard (Anguidae: Gerrhonotinae)

The widely distributed, Central American anguid lizard Mesaspis moreletii is currently recognized as a polytypic species with five subspecies (M. m. fulvus, M. m. moreletii, M. m. rafaeli, M. m. salvadorensis, and M. m. temporalis). We reevaluated the species limits within Mesaspis moreletii using DNA sequences of one mitochondrial and three nuclear genes. The multi-locus data set included samples of all of the subspecies of M. moreletii, the other species of Mesaspis in Central America (M. cuchumatanus and M. monticola), and some populations assignable to M. moreletii but of uncertain subspecific identity from Honduras and Nicaragua. We first used a tree-based method for delimiting species based on mtDNA data to identify potential evolutionary independent lineages, and then analized the multilocus dataset with two species delimitation methods that use the multispecies coalescent model to evaluate different competing species delimitation models: the Bayes factors species delimitation method (BFD) implemented in ∗BEAST, and the Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BP&P) method. Our results suggest that M. m. moreletii, M. m. rafaeli, M. m. salvadorensis, and M. m. temporalis represent distinct evolutionary independent lineages, and that the populations of uncertain status from Honduras and Nicaragua may represent additional undescribed species. Our results also suggest that M. m. fulvus is a synonym of M. m. moreletii. The biogeography of the Central American lineages of Mesaspis is discussed.

Phylogeography of the House Bunting complex: discordance between species limits and genetic markers

Emberiza striolata has traditionally been viewed as a single polytypic species, but recent taxonomic reviews of its morphology, vocalizations and genetic data have led to the recommendation that two species be recognized within this complex, the House Bunting Emberiza sahari in the west, and the Striolated Bunting Emberiza striolata (including the subspecies Emberiza striolata saturiator and Emberiza striolata ‘jebelmarrae’) in the east of the range. However, reportedly intermediate birds have been described from northern Darfur, Sudan, and the Ennedi Massif, northeast Chad, bringing the two-species hypothesis into question. Here, we attempt a more comprehensive geographic sampling of all taxa of E. sahari and E. striolata, and we report the results of an examination of purported intermediate specimens, as well as the re-examination of the long type series of the controversial taxon Emberiza striolata ‘jebelmarrae’ described from western Sudan. Our results confirm a marked east–west divergence in the House Bunting complex based on two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers, but surprisingly reveal that samples of E. striolata ‘jebelmarrae’ cluster with the western clade, whereas their morphology is clearly allied with that of other populations in the eastern clade. However, our analysis suggests that all of the specimens believed to be intermediate in morphology can be categorically placed with other examples of the western clade (E. sahari). At present, it is impossible to definitively explain the phylogenetic position of E. striolata ‘jebelmarrae’, but we hypothesize that the paraphyly in mtDNA is the result of introgression during the initial phase of secondary contact, and does not impinge on the decision to recognize two species. Complex spatio-temporal population patterns caused by late Pleistocene climate changes might have led to multiple secondary contact events between the eastern and western clades.

Beyond the carapace: skull shape variation and morphological systematics of long-nosed armadillos (genus Dasypus).

BackgroundThe systematics of long-nosed armadillos (genus Dasypus) has been mainly based on a handful of external morphological characters and classical measurements. Here, we studied the pattern of morphological variation in the skull of long-nosed armadillos species, with a focus on the systematics of the widely distributed nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus).MethodsWe present the first exhaustive 3D comparison of the skull morphology within the genus Dasypus, based on micro-computed tomography. We used geometric morphometric approaches to explore the patterns of the intra- and interspecific morphological variation of the skull with regard to several factors such as taxonomy, geography, allometry, and sexual dimorphism.ResultsWe show that the shape and size of the skull vary greatly among Dasypus species, with Dasypus pilosus representing a clear outlier compared to other long-nosed armadillos. The study of the cranial intraspecific variation in Dasypus novemcinctus evidences clear links to the geographic distribution and argues in favor of a revision of past taxonomic delimitations. Our detailed morphometric comparisons detected previously overlooked morphotypes of nine-banded armadillos, especially a very distinctive unit restricted to the Guiana Shield.DiscussionAs our results are congruent with recent molecular data and analyses of the structure of paranasal sinuses, we propose that Dasypus novemcinctus should be regarded either as a polytypic species (with three to four subspecies) or as a complex of several distinct species.

Sundaland's east–west rain forest population structure: variable manifestations in four polytypic bird species examined using RAD‐Seq and plumage analyses

AbstractAimA current model of rain forest population diversification in Sundaland specifies east–west vicariance into refugia during the early Pleistocene. In some taxa, this division was followed by dispersal and apparent secondary contact on Borneo in the late Pleistocene. To investigate genetic, morphological, spatial and temporal characteristics of the model, we compared genomic population and plumage variation among four bird species with east–west mtDNA and plumage structure.LocationBorneo and western Sundaland (Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula).MethodsWe quantified plumage patterns among populations of two muscicapids (Copsychus saularis and Kittacincla malabarica) and two timaliids (Mixornis gularis and Trichastoma malaccense), and compared them with population genetic patterns determined from (1) SNPs produced by RAD‐Seq and (2) previously sequenced mtDNA.ResultsAll four species exhibit east–west variation in morphological and some genetic characters, but patterns are idiosyncratic. Copsychus saularis’ mtDNA and plumage change gradually across Borneo, but RAD‐Seq comparisons indicate no population structure. In K. malabarica, all three characteristics change abruptly and concurrently on Borneo. In M. gularis, the main east–west break occurs between Borneo and western Sundaland, with marginal mtDNA, plumage and RAD‐Seq structure on Borneo. T. malaccense exhibits two distinct mtDNA and genomic transitions, an early Pleistocene break between western Sundaland and Borneo, and a Pliocene break between the north‐east and the rest of Borneo. Despite this deep genetic division, its plumage changes clinally across Borneo.Main conclusionsMtDNA, plumage and RAD‐Seq patterns may vary depending on such factors as pre‐Pleistocene distribution, habitat requirements and dispersal propensity, differential introgression among the three character types, selection on plumage and phylogenetic relationships.

The influence of late pleistocene mountain glaciations on the genetic differentiation of long-tailed ground squirrel (Urocitellus undulatus)

Long-tailed ground squirrel (Urocitellus undulatus) is a polytypic species with a wide distribution from the Tien Shan to the Amur River region. Previously, considerable genetic differentiation between eastern and western populations of this species was demonstrated. Moreover, the greatest differences were observed in the western part of the range located in Central Asia, the region that was subjected to repeated glaciations in the past and represents one of the centers of the ground squirrel secondary diversification. The analysis of polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA control region was carried out on long-tailed ground squirrels living in the northern part of Central Asia, on the territory of the Altai Mountains (45 individuals from 23 localities). The presence of two genetically differentiated (7.7% differences) and geographically separated lineages (western and eastern) was revealed. The data obtained disprove the hypothesis on unidirectional, from west to east, colonization of the Altai Mountains after the end of the last glacial maximum and show the two pathways of the ground squirrel colonization of the Altai, from both western and eastern refugia.

Impacts of taxonomic inertia for the conservation of African ungulate diversity: an overview.

We review the state of African ungulate taxonomy over the last 120 years, with an emphasis on the introduction of the polytypic species concept and the discipline's general neglect since the middle of the 20th century. We single out negative consequences of 'orthodox' taxonomy, highlighting numerous cases of neglect of threatened lineages, unsound translocations that led to lineage introgression, and cases of maladaptation to local conditions including parasitic infections. Additionally, several captive breeding programmes have been hampered by chromosome rearrangements caused by involuntary lineage mixing. We advocate that specimen-based taxonomy should regain its keystone role in mammal research and conservation biology, with its scientific values augmented with genomic evidence. While integration with molecular biology, ecology and behaviour is needed for a full understanding of ungulate alpha diversity, we stress that morphological diversity has been neglected despite its tremendous practical importance for some groups of 'utilizers' such as trophy hunters, wildlife tourists and conservationists. We conclude that there is no evidence that purported 'taxonomic inflation' has adverse effects on ungulate conservation: rather, it is taxonomic inertia that has such adverse effects. We stress that sound science, founded on robust taxonomy, should underpin effective sustainable management (hunting, ranching, captive breeding and reintroduction programmes) of this unique African natural resource.

The birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an annotated checklist

Oromia is the largest National Regional State of Ethiopia. Here we present the first comprehensive checklist of its birds. A total of 804 bird species has been recorded, 601 of them confirmed (443) or assumed (158) to be breeding birds. At least 561 are all-year residents (and 31 more potentially so), at least 73 are Afrotropical migrants and visitors (and 44 more potentially so), and 184 are Palaearctic migrants and visitors (and eight more potentially so). Three species are endemic to Oromia, 18 to Ethiopia and 43 to the Horn of Africa. 170 Oromia bird species are biome restricted: 57 to the Afrotropical Highlands biome, 95 to the Somali-Masai biome, and 18 to the Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome. 26 species of birds of Oromia are Threatened (three Critically Endangered, nine Endangered, and 14 Vulnerable), and an additional 20 species are classified as Near Threatened. International regulations affect 225 Ethiopian bird species. Of the polytypic species, a total of 620 subspecies can be taxonomically assigned to Oromia. 11 of them are endemic to Oromia, 71 to Ethiopia and 150 to the Horn of Africa. This very high diversity underlines the high responsibility of the Oromia National Regional State for bird conservation.

A new polytypic species of yellow-shouldered bats, genus Sturnira (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), from the Andean and coastal mountain systems of Venezuela and Colombia.

Sturnira is the most speciose genus of New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae). We name Sturnira adrianae, new species. This taxon is born polytypic, divided into a larger subspecies (S. a. adrianae) widespread in the mountains of northern and western Venezuela, and northern Colombia, and a smaller subspecies (S. a. caripana) endemic to the mountains of northeastern Venezuela. The new species inhabits evergreen, deciduous, and cloud forests at mainly medium (1000-2000 m) elevations. It has long been confused with S. ludovici, but it is more closely related to S. oporaphilum. It can be distinguished from other species of Sturnira by genetic data, and based on discrete and continuously varying characters. Within the genus, the new species belongs to a clade that also includes S. oporaphilum, S. ludovici, S. hondurensis, and S. burtonlimi. The larger new subspecies is the largest member of this clade. The two new subspecies are the most sexually dimorphic members of this clade. The smaller new subspecies is restricted to small mountain systems undergoing severe deforestation processes, therefore can be assigned to the Vulnerable (VU) conservation category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Geographic variation and taxonomy of the Arremon taciturnus (Hermann, 1783) species complex (Aves: Passerellidae)

Arremon taciturnus is a polytypic South American species with three currently recognized subspecies: Arremon taciturnus taciturnus, Arremon taciturnus nigrirostris and Arremon taciturnus axillaris. Historically, two additional species, Arremon semitorquatus, and Arremon franciscanus, were considered related to Arremon taciturnus, thus forming a species complex. In this paper, we review the taxonomy of the complex, including all taxa involved, based on coloration, morphometrics and vocal characters. All the taxa, except for A. taciturnus nigrirostris, are diagnosable based on coloration, especially of the bill, superciliary stripes and wing coverts, and have well-defined distributions. Based on our results, we suggest that A. taciturnus, A. axillaris, A. semitorquatus and A. franciscanus are valid species, while the specific name nigrirostris should be considered a junior synonym of taciturnus. All these species, besides A. taciturnus and A. axillaris, also have clearly different vocalizations. Additionally, we discuss the geographical variation between populations of A. taciturnus revealed by a multivariate analysis of song characters.

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Laparocerus, with comments on colonisation and diversification in Macaronesia (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae).

The flightless Entiminae weevil genus Laparocerus is the species-richest genus, with 237 species and subspecies, inhabiting Macaronesia (Madeira archipelago, Selvagens, Canary Islands) and the continental ‘Macaronesian enclave’ in Morocco (one single polytypic species). This is the second contribution to gain insight of the genus and assist in its systematic revision with a mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis. It centres on the Canarian clade, adding the 12S rRNA gene to the combined set of COII and 16S rRNA used in our first contribution on the Madeiran clade (here re-analysed). The nuclear 28S rRNA was also used to produce an additional 4-gene tree to check coherency with the 3-gene tree.A total of 225 taxa (95%) has been sequenced, mostly one individual per taxa. Plausible explanations for incoherent data (mitochondrial introgressions, admixture, incomplete lineage sorting, etc.) are discussed for each of the monophyletic subclades that are coincident with established subgenera, or are restructured or newly described. The overall mean genetic divergence (p-distance) among species is 8.2%; the mean divergence within groups (subgenera) ranks from 2.9 to 7.0% (average 4.6%), and between groups, from 5.4% to 12.0% (average 9.2%). A trustful radiation event within a young island (1.72 Ma) was used to calibrate and produce a chronogram using the software RelTime.These results confirm the monophyly of both the Madeiran (36 species and subspecies) and the Canarian (196 species and subspecies) clades, which originated ca. 11.2 Ma ago, and started to radiate in their respective archipelagos ca. 8.5 and 7.7 Ma ago. The Madeiran clade seems to have begun in Porto Santo, and from there it jumped to the Desertas and to Madeira, with additional radiations. The Canarian clade shows a sequential star-shape radiation process generating subclades with a clear shift from East to West in coherence with the decreasing age of the islands. Laparocerus garretai from the Selvagens belongs to a Canarian subclade, and Laparocerus susicus from Morocco does not represent the ancestral continental lineage, but a back-colonisation from the Canaries to Africa. Dispersal processes, colonisation patterns, and ecological remarks are amply discussed. Diversification has been adaptive as well as non-adaptive, and the role of ’geological turbulence’ is highlighted as one of the principal drivers of intra-island allopatric speciation.Based on the phylogenetic results, morphological features and distribution, five new monophyletic subgenera are described: Aridotrox subg. n., Belicarius subg. n., Bencomius subg. n., Canariotrox subg. n., and Purpuranius subg. n., totalling twenty subgenera in Laparocerus.

New Evidences of Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy by Putative Paternal Leakage between the Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) and the Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar).

The rock partridge, Alectoris graeca, is a polytypic species declining in Italy mostly due to anthropogenic causes, including the massive releases of the closely related allochthonous chukar partridge Alectoris chukar which produced the formation of hybrids. Molecular approaches are fundamental for the identification of evolutionary units in the perspective of conservation and management, and to correctly select individuals to be used in restocking campaigns. We analyzed a Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) fragment of contemporary and historical A. graeca and A. chukar samples, using duplicated analyses to confirm results and nuclear DNA microsatellites to exclude possible sample cross-contamination. In two contemporary specimens of A. graeca, collected from an anthropogenic hybrid zone, we found evidence of the presence of mtDNA heteroplasmy possibly associated to paternal leakage and suggesting hybridization with captive-bred exotic A. chukar. These results underline significant limitations in the reliability of mtDNA barcoding-based species identification and could have relevant evolutionary and ecological implications that should be accounted for when interpreting data aimed to support conservation actions.

MtDNA diversity in a rabbit population from Sicily (Italy)

The European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus (O. c.) is a small game species found in several parts of the world and represents an important resource for many predators. It has been classified as a Near-Threatened species on the Red List of Italian Vertebrates even though it is also considered to be an agricultural pest species in many areas. It is a polytypic species present as two known subspecies:

Systematic review of the Cinnamon-throated Woodcreep Dendrexetastes rufigula (Aves: Dendrocolaptidae) based on a multilocus phylogeography

The Amazon is one of the most speciose regions in the world. Yet there are still undescribed and misidentified species, and scarce information about the biology of the described species in the region. Here, we evaluate for the first time the existence of genetically differentiated lineages within the polytypic species Dendrexetastes rufigula , an endemic Amazonian lineage. We identified three major evolutionary independent units using both mitochondrial (Cytb and ND2) and nuclear (G3PDH, BF5 and MUSK) markers that roughly corresponded to currently recognized subspecies. Although we found strong statistical support for the reciprocal monophyly of D. r. rufigula and D. r. devillei , we did not find reciprocal monophyly between D. r. moniliger and D. r. paraensis , which were paraphyletic. However, these two taxa grouped together in a clade with Bayesian but not bootstrap support. Moreover, clades D. r. rufigula , D. r. devillei , and D. r. moniliger/paraensis differed from each other by much higher mitochondrial genetic distances (between 1 and 2%), than that separating D. r. paraensis from D. r. moniliger (0.3 ± 0.1%). We add molecular evidence to the morphological data supporting that D. r. rufigula and D. r. devillei are highly diagnostic taxa that could be regarded as two distinct species. Conversely, although D. r. moniliger and D. r. paraensis are both genetically and morphologically distinct from either D. r. rufigula or D. r. devillei , D. r. moniliger and D. r. paraensis cannot be considered mutually independent evolutionary lineages. This result is particularly important from a conservation perspective, since D. r. paraensis is considered threatened in Brazil. Our results support that at least three main evolutionary lineages deserving evolutionary species status exist in the Cinnamon-throated Woodcreeper, and that the endangered lineage in the Belem area of endemism is a morphologically slightly distinct subset of a more widespread lineage endemic to southeastern Amazonia east of the Madeira River.

Species, subspecies, or color morphs? Reconsidering the taxonomy of Callicebus Thomas, 1903 in the Purus-Madeira interfluvium.

There have been recent disagreements as to how many taxa of titi monkeys, genus Callicebus, occur in the region between the Purus and Madeira rivers in western Brazilian Amazonia. Three parapatric taxa were proposed for the area: Callicebus caligatus, Callicebus stephennashi, and Callicebus dubius, but the latter has recently been considered a synonym of C. caligatus, even though both form monophyletic groups and are morphologically distinct. We analyzed the geographic variation in the pelage of Callicebus occurring between the Madeira and Purus rivers and concluded that the phenotypes attributed to C. caligatus and C. dubius are not individual morphs, but rather well-marked and geographically restricted varieties. For this reason, we classify Callicebus caligatus as a polytypic species with two subspecies: Callicebus caligatus caligatus and Callicebus caligatus dubius. This classification is corroborated by molecular evidence as well. The morphological and distributional data indicate that Callicebus stephennashi is a hybrid form of C. c. caligatus and C. c. dubius, due to the presence of intermediate characters. Therefore, until more precise locality records are provided and further evidence is presented, we consider Callicebus stephennashi to be a homonym of the two parental forms.

Diversification across major biogeographic breaks in the African Shining/Square‐tailed Drongos complex (Passeriformes: Dicruridae)

Surprisingly, little is known about the extent of genetic structure within widely distributed and polytypic African species that are not restricted to a particular habitat type. The few studies that have been conducted suggested that speciation among African vertebrates may be intrinsically tied to habitat and the dynamic nature of biome boundaries. In the present study, we assessed the geographic structure of genetic variation across two sister‐species of drongos, the Square‐tailed Drongo (Dicrurus ludwigii) and the Shining Drongo (D. atripennis), that are distributed across multiple sub‐Saharan biogeographic regions and habitat types. Our results indicate that D. ludwigii consists of two strongly divergent lineages, corresponding to an eastern–southern lineage and a central‐western lineage. Furthermore, the central‐western lineage may be more closely related to D. atripennis, a species restricted to the Guineo‐Congolian forest block, and it should therefore be ranked as a separate species from the eastern–southern lineage. Genetic structure is also recovered within the three primary lineages of the D. atripennis–D. ludwigii complex, suggesting that the true species diversity still remains underestimated. Additional sampling and data are required to resolve the taxonomic status of several further populations. Overall, our results suggest the occurrence of complex diversification patterns across habitat types and biogeographic regions in sub‐Saharan Africa birds.

Species delimitation of the white‐tailed rubythroat Calliope pectoralis complex (Aves, Muscicapidae) using an integrative taxonomic approach

Our knowledge of the systematics and taxonomy of Asian birds has improved much in the last two decades, and the number of recognised species has increased significantly as a result of in‐depth studies using an integrative taxonomic approach. The Sino‐Himalayan mountains harbor a high level of passerine diversity. Several allopatric or parapatric taxa that are currently treated as subspecies of polytypic species within that region are likely to deserve full species status, and thus their taxonomic status needs to be revisited. Based on analyses of multilocus data, vocalizations and morphology, we propose that the white‐tailed rubythroat Calliope pectoralis should be treated as two species, the Himalayan rubythroat C. pectoralis sensu stricto in the Tian Shan and Himalayan mountains, and the Chinese rubythroat C. tschebaiewi in the mountains of southwestern and north‐central China. According to our dating analyses based on mitochondrial loci, these two species diverged approximately 2.2 million yr ago. We further found that C. tschebaiewi was paraphyletic to C. pectoralis sensu stricto in nuclear data, which demonstrates a state of mitonuclear discordance that warrants further work. Our results suggest that geographic changes and glacial cycles in the Pleistocene may have caused allopatric divergence in the C. pectoralis complex. Our study stresses the importance of applying an integrative taxonomy approach to fully unravel the true avian diversity in the Sino‐Himalayan Mountains.

Mitochondrial phylogeny of the Eurasian/African reed warbler complex (Acrocephalus, Aves). Disagreement between morphological and molecular evidence and cryptic divergence: A case for resurrecting Calamoherpe ambigua Brehm 1857

A tree based on the mitochondrial cyt b gene for 278 samples from throughout the range of the Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus – African Reed Warbler A. baeticatus complex shows well-supported geographically structured divergence for eight distinct lineages. The phylogenetic structuring together with the clarification of priority, provided by sequence data from seven type specimens, suggests that both taxonomy and distribution boundaries are in need of revision. The Iberian and Moroccan populations form a well-supported clade, and we propose that these are treated as taxonomically distinct, under the name ambiguus (Brehm, 1857). We propose that the names scirpaceus, fuscus, avicenniae, ambiguus, minor, cinnamomeus, hallae and baeticatus are used for the well supported clades in the complex, which we recommend to treat as one polytypic species, A. scirpaceus, pending studies of gene flow and assortative mating in the contact zones.