Proposal (608) to South American Classification Committee

Modify linear sequence of species in Knipolegus

Effect on SACC: This would revise the linear sequence in the genus to reflect recent phylogenetic data.

Background: The current SACC sequence is based on Dickinson (2003), which is based on Traylor (1979), who, by the way, was the first to recognize these species as a monophyletic group and to place them in a single genus.

Knipolegus striaticeps Cinereous Tyrant
Knipolegus hudsoni Hudson's Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus poecilocercus Amazonian Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus signatus Jelski’s Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus cabanisi Plumbeous Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus cyanirostris Blue-billed Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus poecilurus Rufous-tailed Tyrant
Knipolegus orenocensis Riverside Tyrant
Knipolegus aterrimus White-winged Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus franciscanus Caatinga Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus lophotes Crested Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus nigerrimus Velvety Black-Tyrant

New information: Hosner and Moyle’s (2012) published the first phylogeny of Knipolegus based on DNA sequence data (mitochondrial and nuclear):

The relationships they found among species are a mix of confirming and refuting traditional views. The only node without excellent support is the one that places K. striaticeps as sister to the “terminal” three species.. A sequence that reflects the findings of Hosner and Moyle’s (2012) that follows our conventions for sequencing (branch with fewest taxa first; NW-most taxa first for sister taxa) is (indentations and spaces used to signal nodes):

Knipolegus orenocensis Riverside Tyrant

Knipolegus poecilurus Rufous-tailed Tyrant

Knipolegus poecilocercus Amazonian Black-Tyrant

Knipolegus franciscanus Caatinga Black-Tyrant

Knipolegus lophotes Crested Black-Tyrant

Knipolegus nigerrimus Velvety Black-Tyrant

Knipolegus signatus Jelski’s Black-Tyrant

Knipolegus cabanisi Plumbeous Black-Tyrant

Knipolegus cyanirostris Blue-billed Black-Tyrant

Knipolegus striaticeps Cinereous Tyrant

Knipolegus aterrimus White-winged Black-Tyrant

Knipolegus hudsoni Hudson's Black-Tyrant

Analysis and Recommendation: This is just a book-keeping proposal to have our linear sequences follow our sequencing conventions when solid new data appear, and I see no reason not to vote YES on this one.

Literature cited:

Hosner, P. A. and R. G. Moyle. 2012. A molecular phylogeny of black-tyrants (Tyrannidae: Knipolegus) reveals strong geographic patterns and homoplasy in plumage and display behavior. Auk 129: 156-167.

Traylor, M. A., Jr. 1979. (Peters’ Check-list.)

Van Remsen, December 2013

Comments from Stiles: “YES, to reflect current data on phylogeny.”

Comments from Pacheco: “YES. Um confortável SIM. Tal sequência é agora baseada em dados objetivos.”

Zimmer: “YES, for reasons stated in the Proposal.”