Proposal (608) to South American Classification Committee
Modify linear sequence of species inKnipolegus
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 striaticepsCinereous Tyrant
Knipolegus hudsoniHudson's Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus poecilocercusAmazonian Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus signatusJelski’s Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus cabanisiPlumbeousBlack-Tyrant
Knipolegus cyanirostrisBlue-billed Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus poecilurus Rufous-tailed Tyrant
Knipolegus orenocensisRiverside Tyrant
Knipolegus aterrimusWhite-winged Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus franciscanusCaatinga Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus lophotesCrested 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 orenocensisRiverside Tyrant
Knipolegus poecilurus Rufous-tailed Tyrant
Knipolegus poecilocercusAmazonian Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus franciscanusCaatinga Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus lophotesCrested Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus nigerrimus Velvety Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus signatusJelski’s Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus cabanisiPlumbeousBlack-Tyrant
Knipolegus cyanirostrisBlue-billed Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus striaticepsCinereous Tyrant
Knipolegus aterrimusWhite-winged Black-Tyrant
Knipolegus hudsoniHudson'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
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Comments from Stiles: “YES, to reflect current data on phylogeny.”
Comments from Pacheco: “YES. Um confortável SIM. Tal sequência é agora baseadaem dados objetivos.”
Zimmer: “YES, for reasons stated in the Proposal.”