Proposal (438) to South American Classification Committee
Change
linear sequence of species in Brotogeris
Effect on SACC: This proposal would move one species from the end to the beginning
of the linear sequence to reflect recent phylogenetic data.
Background: Brotogeris sanctithomae is at the end of
traditional linear sequences of species in this genus, including SACC’s. It has often been regarded as an oddball in
the genus rather than part of the various proposed superspecies groups; see
SACC Notes.
New information: Ribas et al. (2009) sequenced two mitochondrial genes (cyt
b and ND2) and one nuclear intron (beta fibrinogen) to produce the first data
on relationships within the genus. Their
findings were consistent with our classification, with one exception: they
found that sanctithomae was strongly
supported as a member of their Clade 1, which included tirica, versicolurus, and
chiriri. See their tree, pasted in below:
To
incorporate these finding into our sequence, we need to move sanctithomae, currently placed at the
end of the sequence with the members of Clade 2, to the beginning, with Clade
1. The relationships among sanctithomae, tirica, and chiriri + versicolurus cannot be resolved from the
current data. However, because tirica has frequently been associated
with the other two on the basis of plumage and morphology, I suggest
maintaining that hypothesis by placing sanctithomae
first, thus also minimizing disturbing the current sequence.
Recommendation: This minor change
involves moving only one species in the linear sequence and is thus very
minor. The data for the move are solid,
so I recommend a YES on this one.
Literature Cited
RIBAS, C. C., C. Y. MIYAKI, AND J. CRACRAFT. 2009.
Phylogenetic relationships, diversification and biogeography in Neotropical Brotogeris
parakeets. J. Biogeography 36: 1712-1729.
Van Remsen, May 2010
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