Sj. Hackett, PHYLOGENETIC AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC RELATIONSHIPS IN THE NEOTROPICAL GENUSGYMNOPITHYS (FORMICARIIDAE), The Wilson bulletin, 105(2), 1993, pp. 301-315
Evolutionary relationships among obligate ant-following birds in the g
enus Gymnopithys were addressed using phenetic and phylogenetic analys
es of allozyme characters. Genetic variation at 37 gene loci was analy
zed across all four species in the genus and within two species (Bicol
ored Antbird [G. leucaspis], and White-throated Antbird [G. salvini]).
Interspecific genetic distances were high, and comparable to other st
udies of Neotropical birds, which exceed those in many temperate zone
species. Within the genus, Lunulated Antbird (G. lunulata) and G. salv
ini were sister taxa. There was only weak support for a sister-taxon r
elationship between G. leucaspis and the Rufous-throated Antbird (G. r
ufigula). Within G. leucaspis and G. salvini, high F(st) indicated sub
stantial genetic subdivision, again comparable to other Neotropical bi
rds and much greater than temperate zone birds. Increased age of popul
ation isolation is proposed to account for the high genetic divergence
in Neotropical birds.