Historical biogeography of fishes from coastal basins of Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil

The Amazonian ichthyofauna is one of the most diverse in the world, yet fishes from the adjacent coastal basins of Maranhão State in Northeastern Brazil remain poorly known. We use phylogeographic, community phylogenetic and phylogenetic beta diversity methods to study the biogeographic history of fishes from the coastal basins of Maranhão State. We report a total of 160 fish species from the basins of the Maranhão region, representing a 93% increase over results of previous studies. All the fish species assemblages from Maranhão are polyphyletic, with only a few putative sister species pairs inhabiting the region. The modern watershed divides among Maranhão basins do not form substantial barriers to dispersal for freshwater fish species, and are more effectively modelled as biogeographic islands than as biogeographic provinces. In combination these results suggest that the Maranhão ichthyofauna was assembled under the influence of several macroevolutionary (extinction, dispersal) and landscape evolution processes, during the Miocene and Pliocene, as well as by the modern ecological characteristics of the region. The results indicate that the distinctive geological and climatic conditions and history of Northeastern Brazil strongly constrained the formation of aquatic faunas in coastal basins of Maranhão State.(AU)

A ictiofauna da Amazônia é uma das mais diversificadas do mundo, mas os peixes das bacias costeiras adjacentes do estado do Maranhão, no Nordeste do Brasil, ainda são pouco conhecidos. Utilizamos métodos filogeográficos, filogenia de comunidade e de diversidade beta filogenética para estudar a história biogeográfica de peixes das bacias costeiras do estado do Maranhão. Nós relatamos um total de 160 espécies de peixes das bacias da região do Maranhão, representando um aumento de 93% sobre os resultados de estudos anteriores. Todas as assembleias de espécies de peixes do Maranhão são polifiléticas, com apenas alguns supostos pares de espécies irmãs habitando a região. As divisões modernas das bacias hidrográficas do Maranhão não formam barreiras substanciais para a dispersão de espécies de peixes de água doce, e são mais efetivamente modeladas como ilhas biogeográficas do que como províncias biogeográficas. Em conjunto, esses resultados sugerem que a ictiofauna maranhense foi montada sob a influência de vários processos de evolução macroevolutiva (extinção, dispersão) e paisagística, durante o Mioceno e Plioceno, bem como pelas características ecológicas modernas da região. Os resultados indicam que as distintas condições geológicas e climáticas e a história do Nordeste do Brasil restringiram fortemente a formação de faunas aquáticas em bacias costeiras do estado do Maranhão.(AU)

Historical biogeography of fishes from coastal basins of Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil

The Amazonian ichthyofauna is one of the most diverse in the world, yet fishes from the adjacent coastal basins of Maranhão State in Northeastern Brazil remain poorly known. We use phylogeographic, community phylogenetic and phylogenetic beta diversity methods to study the biogeographic history of fishes from the coastal basins of Maranhão State. We report a total of 160 fish species from the basins of the Maranhão region, representing a 93% increase over results of previous studies. All the fish species assemblages from Maranhão are polyphyletic, with only a few putative sister species pairs inhabiting the region. The modern watershed divides among Maranhão basins do not form substantial barriers to dispersal for freshwater fish species, and are more effectively modelled as biogeographic islands than as biogeographic provinces. In combination these results suggest that the Maranhão ichthyofauna was assembled under the influence of several macroevolutionary (extinction, dispersal) and landscape evolution processes, during the Miocene and Pliocene, as well as by the modern ecological characteristics of the region. The results indicate that the distinctive geological and climatic conditions and history of Northeastern Brazil strongly constrained the formation of aquatic faunas in coastal basins of Maranhão State.(AU)

A ictiofauna da Amazônia é uma das mais diversificadas do mundo, mas os peixes das bacias costeiras adjacentes do estado do Maranhão, no Nordeste do Brasil, ainda são pouco conhecidos. Utilizamos métodos filogeográficos, filogenia de comunidade e de diversidade beta filogenética para estudar a história biogeográfica de peixes das bacias costeiras do estado do Maranhão. Nós relatamos um total de 160 espécies de peixes das bacias da região do Maranhão, representando um aumento de 93% sobre os resultados de estudos anteriores. Todas as assembleias de espécies de peixes do Maranhão são polifiléticas, com apenas alguns supostos pares de espécies irmãs habitando a região. As divisões modernas das bacias hidrográficas do Maranhão não formam barreiras substanciais para a dispersão de espécies de peixes de água doce, e são mais efetivamente modeladas como ilhas biogeográficas do que como províncias biogeográficas. Em conjunto, esses resultados sugerem que a ictiofauna maranhense foi montada sob a influência de vários processos de evolução macroevolutiva (extinção, dispersão) e paisagística, durante o Mioceno e Plioceno, bem como pelas características ecológicas modernas da região. Os resultados indicam que as distintas condições geológicas e climáticas e a história do Nordeste do Brasil restringiram fortemente a formação de faunas aquáticas em bacias costeiras do estado do Maranhão.(AU)

Distribution, threats and conservation of the White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi, Accipitridae), the most threatened raptor in the Neotropics

The White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi) is an endemic and threatened raptor of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Here we present the known records of the species, describe the vegetation types where it was found and show Ecological Niche Models generated using Maxent algorithm. Most of the presence data were recorded in open ombrophilous forest and seasonal semideciduous forest in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco. Maxent model had a good performance (AUC = 0.982 ± 0.004 SD), showing higher suitability for the species from Paraíba to Alagoas states. Maxent average model revealed a distribution range of 20,344 km² and an area of occupancy of 1,636.89 km². The most suitable areas for the species are those near watercourses and streams. We suggest the creation of protected areas, including private ones, and possible restoration actions to connect the most suitable forest fragments, along with the captive breeding, as the most appropriate strategies for the conservation of the White-collared Kite.

Distribution, threats and conservation of the White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi, Accipitridae), the most threatened raptor in the Neotropics

The White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi) is an endemic and threatened raptor of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Here we present the known records of the species, describe the vegetation types where it was found and show Ecological Niche Models generated using Maxent algorithm. Most of the presence data were recorded in open ombrophilous forest and seasonal semideciduous forest in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco. Maxent model had a good performance (AUC = 0.982 ± 0.004 SD), showing higher suitability for the species from Paraíba to Alagoas states. Maxent average model revealed a distribution range of 20,344 km² and an area of occupancy of 1,636.89 km². The most suitable areas for the species are those near watercourses and streams. We suggest the creation of protected areas, including private ones, and possible restoration actions to connect the most suitable forest fragments, along with the captive breeding, as the most appropriate strategies for the conservation of the White-collared Kite.(AU)

A history of the biogeography of Amazonian fishes

The history of knowledge about Amazonian biogeography is as rich as its fish community, and a fascinating theme of study in itself. Several current paradigms and controversies about Amazonian fish biogeography are rooted in principles dating from the second half of the 18th to the first half of the 19th centuries. The present work establishes a relationship between current biogeographical ideas and their old predecessors, on the basis of a chronologically-oriented historical continuity analysis. The advent of evolutionary theory has not contributed significantly to a transformation of the knowledge on the biogeography of Amazonian fishes. On the other hand, the two main schools of biogeographical thought (dispersalist and vicariant) had major implications on how Amazonian fish distribution is interpreted. The process was gradual and many hypotheses have combined elements from each of the two schools. Chronologically, practically the entire tradition of Amazonian biogeography takes place within the evolutionary paradigm, although its founder Louis Agassiz was himself an anti-evolutionist. The birth of Amazonian biogeography is Agassiz´s travel in Amazon. That document makes it clear that the author did not consider dispersal as a valid explanation for the biogeographical patterns he found. Later, Carl Eigenmann helps to spread the dispersalist tradition as a model for biogeographical explanations in fish distributions, a phase which lasted until the late 20th century. A major shift occurs with the contributions of Marylin Weitzman, Stanley Weitzman and Richard Vari, who associated the temporal framework of phylogenetic hypotheses with distribution patterns, underscoring the predictive power of vicariant biogeography. The present-day paradigm begins with the work of John Lundberg and attempts to incorporate geomorphological and phylogenetic information into integrative biogeographical hypotheses.(AU)

A história do conhecimento da biogeografia amazônica é tão rica quanto sua comunidade de peixes e um tema fascinante de estudo em si. Vários paradigmas e controvérsias atuais sobre a biogeografia de peixes amazônicos estão enraizados em princípios que datam da segunda metade do século 18 até a primeira metade do século 19. O presente trabalho estabelece uma relação entre as idéias biogeográficas atuais e seus antecessores antigos a partir de uma análise histórica cronologicamente orientada. O advento da teoria evolutiva não contribuiu significativamente para a transformação do conhecimento sobre a biogeografia dos peixes amazônicos. Por outro lado, as duas principais escolas de pensamento biogeográfico (dispersalista e vicariante) tiveram grandes implicações sobre a interpretação da distribuição de peixes amazônicos. O processo foi gradual e muitas hipóteses combinaram elementos de cada uma das duas tradições. Cronologicamente, praticamente toda a história da biogeografia amazônica ocorre dentro do paradigma evolutivo, embora seu fundador Louis Agassiz fosse ele próprio um anti-evolucionista. O nascimento da biogeografia amazônica é o relatório de viagem de Agassiz na Amazônia. Esse documento deixa claro que o autor não considerou o dispersalismo como uma explicação válida para os padrões biogeográficos que encontrou. Mais tarde, Carl Eigenmann ajuda a disseminar a tradição dispersalista como modelo para explicações biogeográficas na distribuição de peixes, uma fase que perdurou até o final do século 20. Uma grande mudança ocorre com as contribuições de Marylin Weitzman, Stanley Weitzman e Richard Vari, que associaram a dimensão temporal de hipóteses filogenéticas com padrões de distribuição, revelando o poder preditivo da biogeografia vicariante. O paradigma atual começa com o trabalho de John Lundberg e busca incorporar informações geomorfológicas e filogenéticas em hipóteses biogeográficas integrativas.(AU)

A history of the biogeography of Amazonian fishes

The history of knowledge about Amazonian biogeography is as rich as its fish community, and a fascinating theme of study in itself. Several current paradigms and controversies about Amazonian fish biogeography are rooted in principles dating from the second half of the 18th to the first half of the 19th centuries. The present work establishes a relationship between current biogeographical ideas and their old predecessors, on the basis of a chronologically-oriented historical continuity analysis. The advent of evolutionary theory has not contributed significantly to a transformation of the knowledge on the biogeography of Amazonian fishes. On the other hand, the two main schools of biogeographical thought (dispersalist and vicariant) had major implications on how Amazonian fish distribution is interpreted. The process was gradual and many hypotheses have combined elements from each of the two schools. Chronologically, practically the entire tradition of Amazonian biogeography takes place within the evolutionary paradigm, although its founder Louis Agassiz was himself an anti-evolutionist. The birth of Amazonian biogeography is Agassiz´s travel in Amazon. That document makes it clear that the author did not consider dispersal as a valid explanation for the biogeographical patterns he found. Later, Carl Eigenmann helps to spread the dispersalist tradition as a model for biogeographical explanations in fish distributions, a phase which lasted until the late 20th century. A major shift occurs with the contributions of Marylin Weitzman, Stanley Weitzman and Richard Vari, who associated the temporal framework of phylogenetic hypotheses with distribution patterns, underscoring the predictive power of vicariant biogeography. The present-day paradigm begins with the work of John Lundberg and attempts to incorporate geomorphological and phylogenetic information into integrative biogeographical hypotheses. Some emblematic problems have delayed proposition of general hypotheses on the phylogenetic biogeography of South American fishes, such as the poor state of knowledge of their species-level systematics; an incomplete distributional record for most species and sparse or non-existent data on the phylogenetic history of most supraspecific taxa. Such drawbacks are now being corrected at a fast pace. Recent advances on geographical distribution and an increasing number of phylogenetic hypotheses will allow unprecedented large-scale biogeographic analyses, including those based on event models and Bayesian inference. Thus, the biogeography of South American fishes, especially Amazonian ones, should soon experiment a new age of progress. The success of that new phase will depend on its ability to recognize and segregate multiple overlapping temporal layers of hydrological changes, and to develop analytical tools that can deal with temporal mixing.(AU)

A história do conhecimento da biogeografia amazônica é tão rica quanto sua comunidade de peixes e um tema fascinante de estudo em si. Vários paradigmas e controvérsias atuais sobre a biogeografia de peixes amazônicos estão enraizados em princípios que datam da segunda metade do século 18 até a primeira metade do século 19. O presente trabalho estabelece uma relação entre as idéias biogeográficas atuais e seus antecessores antigos a partir de uma análise histórica cronologicamente orientada. O advento da teoria evolutiva não contribuiu significativamente para a transformação do conhecimento sobre a biogeografia dos peixes amazônicos. Por outro lado, as duas principais escolas de pensamento biogeográfico (dispersalista e vicariante) tiveram grandes implicações sobre a interpretação da distribuição de peixes amazônicos. O processo foi gradual e muitas hipóteses combinaram elementos de cada uma das duas tradições. Cronologicamente, praticamente toda a história da biogeografia amazônica ocorre dentro do paradigma evolutivo, embora seu fundador Louis Agassiz fosse ele próprio um anti-evolucionista. O nascimento da biogeografia amazônica é o relatório de viagem de Agassiz na Amazônia. Esse documento deixa claro que o autor não considerou o dispersalismo como uma explicação válida para os padrões biogeográficos que encontrou. Mais tarde, Carl Eigenmann ajuda a disseminar a tradição dispersalista como modelo para explicações biogeográficas na distribuição de peixes, uma fase que perdurou até o final do século 20. Uma grande mudança ocorre com as contribuições de Marylin Weitzman, Stanley Weitzman e Richard Vari, que associaram a dimensão temporal de hipóteses filogenéticas com padrões de distribuição, revelando o poder preditivo da biogeografia vicariante. O paradigma atual começa com o trabalho de John Lundberg e busca incorporar informações geomorfológicas e filogenéticas em hipóteses biogeográficas integrativas. Alguns problemas emblemáticos atrasaram a proposição de hipóteses gerais sobre a biogeografia vicariante de peixes da América do Sul, como o mau estado de conhecimento de sua sistemática em nível de espécie; o registro de distribuição geográfica incompleto para a maioria das espécies e dados escassos ou inexistentes sobre a história filogenética da maioria dos táxons supraespecíficos. Essas desvantagens agora estão sendo corrigidas em um ritmo acelerado. Avanços recentes na distribuição geográfica e um número crescente de hipóteses filogenéticas permitirão inéditas análises biogeográficas de grande escala, inclusive aquelas baseadas em modelos de eventos e inferência bayesiana. Assim, a biogeografia dos peixes sul-americanos, especialmente os amazônicos, deve experimentar em breve uma nova era de progresso. O sucesso dessa nova fase dependerá de sua capacidade de reconhecer e segregar múltiplas camadas temporais sobrepostas de mudanças hidrológicas e desenvolver ferramentas analíticas que possam lidar com a mistura temporal.(AU)

Areas of endemism of hummingbirds (Aves: Apodiformes: Trochilidae) in the Andean and Neotropical regions

Using track analysis and cladistic biogeography, we identified areas of endemism of hummingbirds in the Andean and Neotropical regions. Our results point out that the current areas of endemism of hummingbirds occur in the Andes, Guiana Shield, the Lesser Antilles, western Central and North America and the Chiapas Highlands. The cladistic biogeographic analysis suggests a hummingbird distribution shaped mainly by dispersal events.

Areas of endemism of hummingbirds (Aves: Apodiformes: Trochilidae) in the Andean and Neotropical regions

Using track analysis and cladistic biogeography, we identified areas of endemism of hummingbirds in the Andean and Neotropical regions. Our results point out that the current areas of endemism of hummingbirds occur in the Andes, Guiana Shield, the Lesser Antilles, western Central and North America and the Chiapas Highlands. The cladistic biogeographic analysis suggests a hummingbird distribution shaped mainly by dispersal events.(AU)

Biogeography of Amazonian fishes: deconstructing river basins as biogeographic units

Biogeography of Amazonian fishes (2,500 species in vastly disjunct lineages) is complex and has so far been approached only partially. Here, we tackle the problem on the basis of the largest database yet on geographical distribution and phylogenetic relationships of Amazonian fishes, including all information available. Distributions of 4,095 species (both Amazonian and outgroups) and 84 phylogenetic hypotheses (comprising 549 phylogenetically-informative nodes) were compiled, qualified and plotted onto 46 areas (29 Amazonian and 17 non-Amazonian). The database was analyzed with PAE, CADE, BPA and BPA0, yielding largely congruent results and indicating that biogeographic signal is detectable on multiple dimensions of fish distribution, from single species ranges to cladistic congruence. Agreement is especially pronounced in deeper components, such as Trans-Andean, Cis-Andean, Western Amazon and Orinoco basins. Results show that all major Amazonian tributaries, as well as the Amazon basin itself, are non-monophyletic and constitute hybrid sets of heterogeneous biotic partitions. Amazonian drainages should not be assumed a priori as historically cohesive areas, contrary to widespread practice. Our hypothesis allows re-evaluation of broader issues in historical biogeography, such as the predictive power of biogeographic hypotheses, the vicariant/dispersal duality, the significance of widely distributed taxa, and the need for temporal dimension in biogeographic patterns.(AU)

A biogeografia dos peixes amazônicos (2.500 espécies de diferentes linhagens) é complexa e até agora foi abordada apenas parcialmente. Aqui abordamos o problema com base no maior banco de dados já feito sobre a distribuição geográfica e as relações filogenéticas dos peixes amazônicos, incluindo todas as informações disponíveis. A distribuição de 4.095 espécies (tanto amazônicas como de grupos-externos) e 84 hipóteses filogenéticas (que incluíam 549 nós filogeneticamente informativos) foram compiladas e qualificadas em 46 áreas (29 amazônicas e 17 não-amazônicas). O banco de dados foi analisado a partir das metodologias PAE, CADE, BPA e BPA0, resultando em topologias amplamente congruentes e indicando que o sinal biogeográfico é detectável em múltiplas dimensões, desde a simples distribuição de peixes até em congruência cladística. A concordância topológica é especialmente pronunciada em componentes mais profundos, como as bacias Trans-Andina, Cis-Andina, Amazonas Ocidental e Orinoco. Os resultados demonstram que todos os principais afluentes amazônicos, bem como a própria bacia amazônica, não são monofiléticos e constituem conjuntos híbridos formados a partir de parcelas bióticas heterogêneas. As drenagens amazônicas não devem ser consideradas a priori como áreas historicamente coesas, contrariamente à prática generalizada. Nossa hipótese permite a reavaliação de questões mais amplas na biogeografia histórica, como o poder preditivo de hipóteses biogeográficas, a dualidade vicariante/dispersão, significância de táxons amplamente distribuídos e a necessidade da dimensão temporal em padrões biogeográficos.(AU)

Biogeography of Amazonian fishes: deconstructing river basins as biogeographic units

Biogeography of Amazonian fishes (2,500 species in vastly disjunct lineages) is complex and has so far been approached only partially. Here, we tackle the problem on the basis of the largest database yet on geographical distribution and phylogenetic relationships of Amazonian fishes, including all information available. Distributions of 4,095 species (both Amazonian and outgroups) and 84 phylogenetic hypotheses (comprising 549 phylogenetically-informative nodes) were compiled, qualified and plotted onto 46 areas (29 Amazonian and 17 non-Amazonian). The database was analyzed with PAE, CADE, BPA and BPA0, yielding largely congruent results and indicating that biogeographic signal is detectable on multiple dimensions of fish distribution, from single species ranges to cladistic congruence. Agreement is especially pronounced in deeper components, such as Trans-Andean, Cis-Andean, Western Amazon and Orinoco basins. Results show that all major Amazonian tributaries, as well as the Amazon basin itself, are non-monophyletic and constitute hybrid sets of heterogeneous biotic partitions. Amazonian drainages should not be assumed a priori as historically cohesive areas, contrary to widespread practice. Our hypothesis allows re-evaluation of broader issues in historical biogeography, such as the predictive power of biogeographic hypotheses, the vicariant/dispersal duality, the significance of widely distributed taxa, and the need for temporal dimension in biogeographic patterns.(AU)

A biogeografia dos peixes amazônicos (2.500 espécies de diferentes linhagens) é complexa e até agora foi abordada apenas parcialmente. Aqui abordamos o problema com base no maior banco de dados já feito sobre a distribuição geográfica e as relações filogenéticas dos peixes amazônicos, incluindo todas as informações disponíveis. A distribuição de 4.095 espécies (tanto amazônicas como de grupos-externos) e 84 hipóteses filogenéticas (que incluíam 549 nós filogeneticamente informativos) foram compiladas e qualificadas em 46 áreas (29 amazônicas e 17 não-amazônicas). O banco de dados foi analisado a partir das metodologias PAE, CADE, BPA e BPA0, resultando em topologias amplamente congruentes e indicando que o sinal biogeográfico é detectável em múltiplas dimensões, desde a simples distribuição de peixes até em congruência cladística. A concordância topológica é especialmente pronunciada em componentes mais profundos, como as bacias Trans-Andina, Cis-Andina, Amazonas Ocidental e Orinoco. Os resultados demonstram que todos os principais afluentes amazônicos, bem como a própria bacia amazônica, não são monofiléticos e constituem conjuntos híbridos formados a partir de parcelas bióticas heterogêneas. As drenagens amazônicas não devem ser consideradas a priori como áreas historicamente coesas, contrariamente à prática generalizada. Nossa hipótese permite a reavaliação de questões mais amplas na biogeografia histórica, como o poder preditivo de hipóteses biogeográficas, a dualidade vicariante/dispersão, significância de táxons amplamente distribuídos e a necessidade da dimensão temporal em padrões biogeográficos.(AU)

Anuros del norte de los Andes: patrones de riqueza de especies y estado de conservación

El conocimiento de los anuros andinos está en constante aumento, razón por la cual se necesita una actualización. Revisamos la literatura y museos registros científicos con el fin de determinar la riqueza de especies de anuros del norte de los Andes con base en las categorías de la UICN. El norte de los Andes alberga 740 especies de anuros, pertenecientes a 13 familias y 63 géneros. La familia con el mayor número de especies fue craugastoridae (334 spp.), seguida por Bufonidae (92 spp.) y Centrolenidae (81 spp.). La Cordillera Central de Colombia alberga la mayor riqueza de especies (202 spp.), mientras que la Cordillera de la Costa Oriental de Venezuela contiene el número más bajo de especies (17 spp.). La mayoría de las especies (74%) es exclusiva del norte de los Andes, pero ninguna familia es endémica del norte de los Andes. Alrededor del 50% de las especies está amenazada y cerca del 20% con datos deficientes. Los patrones de riqueza de especies en el norte de los Andes podrían ser causados, entre otras razones, por factores históricos, y a su vez por a la falta de muestreo en algunas zonas.

Knowledge of Andean anurans is constantly increasing; for this reason, it needs an update. We reviewed scientific literature and museum records to determine the species richness of anurans in the northern Andes and their conservation status based on the IUCN categories. The northern Andes harbor 740 species of anurans, belonging to 13 families and 63 genera. The family with the highest species number was Craugastoridae (334 spp.), followed by Bufonidae (92 spp.), and Centrolenidae (81 spp.). The Cordillera Central of Colombia harbors the highest species richness (199 spp.), while the Cordillera de la Costa Oriental de Venezuela contains the lowest species number (17 spp.). Most species (74%) is endemic to the northern Andes, but no family is endemic to the northern Andes. About 50% species is threatened and 20% is included in the category of deficient data. The species richness patterns in northern Andes might be caused, among other reasons, by historical factors, but also result of sampling lack in some areas.

Anuros del norte de los Andes: patrones de riqueza de especies y estado de conservación

El conocimiento de los anuros andinos está en constante aumento, razón por la cual se necesita una actualización. Revisamos la literatura y museos registros científicos con el fin de determinar la riqueza de especies de anuros del norte de los Andes con base en las categorías de la UICN. El norte de los Andes alberga 740 especies de anuros, pertenecientes a 13 familias y 63 géneros. La familia con el mayor número de especies fue craugastoridae (334 spp.), seguida por Bufonidae (92 spp.) y Centrolenidae (81 spp.). La Cordillera Central de Colombia alberga la mayor riqueza de especies (202 spp.), mientras que la Cordillera de la Costa Oriental de Venezuela contiene el número más bajo de especies (17 spp.). La mayoría de las especies (74%) es exclusiva del norte de los Andes, pero ninguna familia es endémica del norte de los Andes. Alrededor del 50% de las especies está amenazada y cerca del 20% con datos deficientes. Los patrones de riqueza de especies en el norte de los Andes podrían ser causados, entre otras razones, por factores históricos, y a su vez por a la falta de muestreo en algunas zonas.(AU)

Knowledge of Andean anurans is constantly increasing; for this reason, it needs an update. We reviewed scientific literature and museum records to determine the species richness of anurans in the northern Andes and their conservation status based on the IUCN categories. The northern Andes harbor 740 species of anurans, belonging to 13 families and 63 genera. The family with the highest species number was Craugastoridae (334 spp.), followed by Bufonidae (92 spp.), and Centrolenidae (81 spp.). The Cordillera Central of Colombia harbors the highest species richness (199 spp.), while the Cordillera de la Costa Oriental de Venezuela contains the lowest species number (17 spp.). Most species (74%) is endemic to the northern Andes, but no family is endemic to the northern Andes. About 50% species is threatened and 20% is included in the category of deficient data. The species richness patterns in northern Andes might be caused, among other reasons, by historical factors, but also result of sampling lack in some areas.(AU)

Early Pleistocene lineages of Bagre bagre (Linnaeus, 1766) (Siluriformes: Ariidae), from the Atlantic coast of South America, with insights into the demography and biogeography of the species

Coastal and marine environments are characterized by a lack of evident physical barriers or geographic isolation, and it may be difficult to understand how divergence can arise and be sustained in marine environments. The identification of 'soft' barriers is a crucial step towards the understanding of gene flow in marine environments. The marine catfishes of the family Ariidae are a demersal group with restricted migratory behavior, no pelagic larval stages, and mechanisms of larval retention, representing a potentially useful model for the understanding of historical processes of allopatric speciation in the marine environment. In the present study, two lineages of the Coco sea catfish, Bagre bagre , were recognized from their complete segregation at both mitochondrial and morphological levels. One lineage is distributed between Venezuela and the northern coast of Brazil, including the semiarid northeast coast, while the second lineage is found on the eastern coast of Brazil, including the humid northeast coast. Based on distribution area, habitats preference, and genetic variability, inferences are made in relation to biogeography and demography of lineages in Atlantic coast of South America.(AU)

Ambientes marinhos costeiros são caracterizados pela falta de barreiras físicas evidentes e ausência de isolamento geográfico, sendo difícil compreender como diferentes linhagens podem surgir e ser mantidas nestes ambientes. A identificação de barreiras permeáveis é um passo importante para a compreensão do fluxo gênico em ambientes marinhos. Os bagres marinhos da família Ariidae são um grupo demersal, com mecanismos de retenção larval e sem comportamento migratório ou estágio larval pelágico, representando um grupo potencialmente útil para a compreensão de processos históricos de especiação alopátrica no ambiente marinho. No presente estudo, duas linhagens do bandeirado ou bagre de fita, Bagre bagre , são reconhecidas com base na completa segregação mitocondrial e morfológica. Uma linhagem é encontrada da Venezuela à costa norte do Brasil, incluindo a costa nordeste semi-árida, enquanto a segunda linhagem é encontrada na costa leste e sudeste do Brasil, incluindo a costa nordeste úmida. Com base na área de distribuição, habitat preferencial e a variabilidade genética, inferências são feitas em relação à biogeografia e demografia das duas linhagens na costa do Atlântico da América do Sul.(AU)

Zoogeography of Elasmobranchs in the Colombian Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

Para conocer los patrones zoogeográficos de los elasmobranquios marinos de Colombia, la riqueza de especies de Pacífico y Caribe y sus subáreas (Pacífico costero, Pacífico oceánico, Caribe costero y Caribe oceánico) fue analizada. Las áreas compartieron 10 familias, 10 géneros y 16 especies de tiburones y ocho familias, tres géneros y cuatro especies de batoideos. Carcharhinidae tuvo la mayor contribución a la riqueza de tiburones mientras que Rajidae y Urotrygonidae tuvieron la mayor contribución a la riqueza de batoideos en el Caribe y el Pacífico, respectivamente. La mayoría de los elasmobranquios estuvieron asociados con hábitats bénticos y costeros. El análisis de similitud permitió la identificación de cinco grupos de familias que caracterizan la riqueza de elasmobranquios en ambas áreas. La diversidad beta indicó que el mayor recambio de especies se produjo entre el Pacífico costero y las dos subáreas del Caribe. La diferencia en la riqueza y composición de especies entre las áreas puede ser debida a eventos vicariantes tales como el surgimiento del Istmo de Panamá. Es poco probable que la diversidad de elasmobranquios en Colombia se originara de un único evento de colonización. Eventos locales de diversificación/especiación, dispersión desde las regiones templadas de América, del Pacífico y del Atlántico son orígenes posibles que no se excluyen entre sí.(AU)

In order to investigate zoogeographical patterns of the marine elasmobranch species of Colombia, species richness of the Pacific and Caribbean and their subareas (Coastal Pacific, Oceanic Pacific, Coastal Caribbean, Oceanic Caribbean) was analyzed. The areas shared 10 families, 10 genera and 16 species of sharks, and eight families, three genera and four species of batoids. Carcharhinidae had the highest contribution to shark richness, whereas Rajidae and Urotrygonidae had the greatest contribution to batoid richness in the Caribbean and Pacific, respectively. Most elasmobranchs were associated with benthic and coastal habitats. The similarity analysis allowed the identification of five groups of families, which characterize the elasmobranch richness in both areas. Beta diversity indicated that most species turnover occurred between the Coastal Pacific and the two Caribbean subareas. The difference in species richness and composition between areas may be due to vicariant events such as the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama. It is unlikely that the Colombian elasmobranch diversity originated from a single colonization event. Local diversification/speciation, dispersal from the non-tropical regions of the Americas, a Pacific dispersion and an Atlantic dispersion are origin possibilities without any of them excluding the others.(AU)

Response paper: Morphometric article by Mejía et al. 2015 alluding genera Herichthys and Nosferatu displays serious inconsistencies

In the present response paper, the article entitled "Morphometric variation of the Herichthys bartoni (Bean, 1892) species group (Teleostei: Cichlidae): How many species comprise H. labridens (Pellegrin, 1903)?" by Mejía et al . 2015 is critically reviewed. The current review pinpoints some of the more conspicuous conceptual inconsistencies and fundamental errors found in the study by Mejía et al . (2015), It is contended that the authors fail to provide any new insights into the complex biogeography and evolutionary history of the Nosferatu and Herichthys genus groups, and that while results of their Cox1 molecular analysis are comparable to those by De la Maza-Benignos et al . (2015), the conclusions of the two studies are not comparable. In addition, it is contested that, whereas the designation of genus Nosferatu by De la Maza-Benignos et al . (2015) was found on the principles of the biological and phylogenetic species concepts, the rejection of the genus by Mejía et al . (2015) is solely based "on the presence of (overlapping) morphometric characters" between genera. The assumption by Mejía et al . (2015),that because their geometric morphometrics analysis failed to provide separation of species, then Nosferatu genus does not correspond to a valid taxon; and their suggesting geometric morphometrics "as useful tool to discriminate species, because it allows to propose diagnostic characters" were not supported by their results. While Mejía et al . present some interesting thoughts on the systematics of Nosferatu , they unfortunately fail to provide any data that can be objectively assessed as relevant to motivate any changes in the current taxonomy.(AU)

El presente documento de respuesta analiza críticamente el artículo titulado "Morphometric variation of the Herichthys bartoni (Bean, 1892) species group (Teleostei: Cichlidae): How many species comprise H. labridens (Pellegrin, 1903)?" por Mejía et al. (2015), así como también evidencia algunas de las contradicciones conceptuales y errores fundamentales encontrados en dicho documento. Se arguye que el artículo no proporciona ningún aspecto nuevo acerca de la compleja biogeografía, ni de la historia evolutiva de los géneros Nosferatu y Herichthys , y que mientras que los resultados del análisis molecular utilizando el gen Cox1 son similares a los de la Maza-Benignos et al. (2015), las conclusiones de ambos estudios no son compatibles. Se contiende además que mientras que la designación del género Nosferatu por De la Maza-Benignos et al. (2015) se fundamentó en principios asociados a los conceptos biológico y filogenético de especie, el rechazo del género por Mejía et al. ,(2015) únicamente se basa "en la existencia de caracteres morfométricos (superpuestos)" entre géneros. La inferencia por parte de Mejía et al . de que debido a que el análisis de morfometría geométrica no logró separar a las especies, y que por lo tanto el género Nosferatu no corresponde a un taxón válido; así como la observación de que la morfometría geométrica corresponde a "una herramienta útil para diferenciar especies, porque permite proponer caracteres de diagnóstico" no están sustentadas por los resultados de su análisis, y mientras que Mejía et al. ,presentan algunas ideas interesantes sobre la sistemática de Nosferatu , lamentablemente no proporcionan ningún dato relevante que pueda ser evaluado objetivamente como para motivar cambios en la taxonomía actual.(AU)

Systematics and biogeography of Sternarchellini (Gymnotiformes: Apteronotidae): Diversification of electric fishes in large Amazonian rivers

The Sternarchellini (Gymnotiformes, Apteronotidae) is a clade of 10 electric fish species that inhabit deep river channels of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, attain moderate adult body sizes (15-50 cm TL), and have a predatory life style. Here we trace the evolutionary origin and diversification of Sternarchellini using standard phylogenetic and biogeographic procedures and a dataset of 70 morphological characters. The main results are: 1) the genus Sternarchella includes both species currently assigned to the genus Magosternarchus; and 2) neither of the multi-species assemblages of Sternarchellini in the Amazon and Orinoco basins are monophyletic. Historical biogeographic analysis suggests that sternarchelline evolution was linked to the large-scale river capture event that formed the modern Amazon and Orinoco basins, i.e. the Late Miocene rise of the Vaupes structural arch and concomitant breaching of the Purus structural arch. This event is hypothesized to have contributed to formation of the modern sternarchelline species, and to the formation of the modern basin-wide sternarchelline species assemblages. The results indicate that cladogenesis (speciation) and anagenesis (adaptive evolution) were decoupled processes in the evolution of Sternarchellini.(AU)

Sternarchellini (Gymnotiformes, Apteronotidae) é um clado de 10 espécies de peixes elétricos que habitam canais profundos de rios das bacias do Amazonas e Orinoco, que atingem um tamanho moderado quando adultos (15-50 cm CT), e possuem hábito predatório. Rastreamos a origem evolutiva e diversificação de Sternarchellini utilizando técnicas filogenéticas e biogeográficas padrões e um conjunto de dados de 70 caracteres morfológicos. Os principais resultados são: 1) o gênero Sternarchella inclui duas espécies atualmente atribuídas ao gênero Magosternarchus; e 2) as assembleias de multi-espécies de Sternarchellini nas bacias Amazônica e do Orinoco não formam grupos monofiléticos. A análise biogeográfica histórica sugere que a evolução do Sternarchellini esteve ligada ao evento de captura de rio de grande escala que formou as atuais bacias do Amazonas e Orinoco, i.e., o soerguimento do arco estrutural Vaupés no Mioceno Superior e o rompimento concomitante do arco estrutural Purus. É proposto que esse evento contribuiu para o surgimento das espécies atuais de Sternarchellini, e para a formação das assembleias modernas de espécies de Sternarchellini com ampla distribuição nas bacias. Os resultados indicam que cladogênese (especiação) e anagenêse (evolução adaptativa) foram processos desacoplados na evolução de Sternarchellini.(AU)

Distributions and phylogeographic data of rheophilic freshwater fishes provide evidences on the geographic extension of a central-brazilian amazonian palaeoplateau in the area of the present day Pantanal Wetland

The analysis of the distribution patterns presented by examples of freshwater fishes restricted to headwater habitat: the anostomid Leporinus octomaculatus, the characins Jubiaba acanthogaster, Oligosarcus perdido, Moenkhausia cosmops, Knodus chapadae, Planaltina sp., the loricariid Hypostomus cochliodon, and the auchenipterid Centromochlus sp. provided evidences of a relatively recent shared history between the highlands of the upper rio Paraguay and adjoining upland drainage basins. Restricted to headwater of the uplands in the upper rio Paraguay and adjoining basins, these species provide biological evidence of the former extension of the central Brazilian plateau before the origin of the Pantanal Wetland. Disjunction took place due to an ecological barrier to these rheophilic taxa represented tectonic subsidence related to the origin of the Pantanal Wetland. Molecular analysis of Jubiaba acanthogaster revealed that the sample from the upper rio Xingu basin are the sister-group of a clade that includes samples from the upper rio Arinos (upper rio Tapajós) plus the upper rio Paraguay basin, supporting the assumption that the origin of the upper rio Paraguay basin causing vicariance between this basin and the upper rio Tapajós is the least vicariant event in the evolutionary history of the group.(AU)

A análise do padrão de distribuição apresentado por exemplos de peixes de água doce neotropicais restritos à habitats reofílicos de cabeceira: o anostomídeo Leporinus octomaculatus, os caracídeos Jubiaba acanthogaster, Oligosarcus perdido, Moenkhausia cosmops, Knodus chapadae, Planaltina sp., o loricariídeo Hypostomus cochliodon e o auquenipterídeo Centromochlus sp. fornecem evidências de uma história compartilhada relativamente recente entre as terras altas do alto rio Paraguai e bacias de terras altas vizinhas. Restritas às cabeceiras das áreas altas nas bacias do alto rio Paraguai e bacias vizinhas, estas espécies fornecem evidências biológicas da pretérita extensão do Planalto Central Brasileiro anteriormente a origem tectônica da planície alagável do Pantanal. Disjunções ocorreram devido a barreira ecológica para estes taxons reofílicos representada pela subsidência tectônica associada à origem do Pantanal. A análise molecular de Jupiaba acanthogaster revelou que amostras da bacia do alto rio Xingu consistem no grupo-irmão de um clado mais inclusivo que inclui amostras do alto rio Arinos (alto rio Tapajós) mais o alto rio Paraguai, suportando a suposição de que a origem do alto rio Paraguai causou vicariância entre esta bacia e o alto rio Tapajós no último evento vicariante na história evolutiva do grupo.(AU)

Biogeography on the early distribution of cuckoos (Aves: Cuculiformes)

Cuckoos are widely distributed, but are concentrated in the tropics, where they occupy a wide range of habitats. Both terrestrial and arboreal behaviors can be found in this group, but there is no consensus on as to whether these behaviors have arisen more than once. Moreover, the historical distribution of cuckoos is poorly understood. This paper presents a biogeographyc analysis of the early history of the distribution of these birds. The analysis was performed by using the Principle of Parsimony based on primary and secondary "Brooks Parsimony Analysis" (BPA). Despite some exceptions, the primary BPA corroborated events of vicariance (general pattern) in the early distribution of cuckoos and a terrestrial ancestor widespread in the Gondwana. The most parsimonious hypothesis suggests that the distribution of terrestrial cuckoos (basal group) is associated with the break-up of the Gondwana (Early to Mid Cretaceous), consistent with molecular data for other living birds. On the other hand, the fossil records indicate a more recent origin (Paleocene to Upper Tertiary) in the Laurasia. Nevertheless, to corroborate the fossil records, the early distribution of cuckoos would not be explained by parsimony, since additional steps on dispersion and local extinctions should be added. In addition, according to the secondary BPA, most exceptions can be explained by dispersion as the origin of the arboreal cuckoos (derived group) in South America, where they dispersed to other continents.

Biogeography on the early distribution of cuckoos (Aves: Cuculiformes)

Cuckoos are widely distributed, but are concentrated in the tropics, where they occupy a wide range of habitats. Both terrestrial and arboreal behaviors can be found in this group, but there is no consensus on as to whether these behaviors have arisen more than once. Moreover, the historical distribution of cuckoos is poorly understood. This paper presents a biogeographyc analysis of the early history of the distribution of these birds. The analysis was performed by using the Principle of Parsimony based on primary and secondary "Brooks Parsimony Analysis" (BPA). Despite some exceptions, the primary BPA corroborated events of vicariance (general pattern) in the early distribution of cuckoos and a terrestrial ancestor widespread in the Gondwana. The most parsimonious hypothesis suggests that the distribution of terrestrial cuckoos (basal group) is associated with the break-up of the Gondwana (Early to Mid Cretaceous), consistent with molecular data for other living birds. On the other hand, the fossil records indicate a more recent origin (Paleocene to Upper Tertiary) in the Laurasia. Nevertheless, to corroborate the fossil records, the early distribution of cuckoos would not be explained by parsimony, since additional steps on dispersion and local extinctions should be added. In addition, according to the secondary BPA, most exceptions can be explained by dispersion as the origin of the arboreal cuckoos (derived group) in South America, where they dispersed to other continents.

Biogeography on the early distribution of cuckoos (Aves: Cuculiformes)

Cuckoos are widely distributed, but are concentrated in the tropics, where they occupy a wide range of habitats. Both terrestrial and arboreal behaviors can be found in this group, but there is no consensus on as to whether these behaviors have arisen more than once. Moreover, the historical distribution of cuckoos is poorly understood. This paper presents a biogeographyc analysis of the early history of the distribution of these birds. The analysis was performed by using the Principle of Parsimony based on primary and secondary "Brooks Parsimony Analysis" (BPA). Despite some exceptions, the primary BPA corroborated events of vicariance (general pattern) in the early distribution of cuckoos and a terrestrial ancestor widespread in the Gondwana. The most parsimonious hypothesis suggests that the distribution of terrestrial cuckoos (basal group) is associated with the break-up of the Gondwana (Early to Mid Cretaceous), consistent with molecular data for other living birds. On the other hand, the fossil records indicate a more recent origin (Paleocene to Upper Tertiary) in the Laurasia. Nevertheless, to corroborate the fossil records, the early distribution of cuckoos would not be explained by parsimony, since additional steps on dispersion and local extinctions should be added. In addition, according to the secondary BPA, most exceptions can be explained by dispersion as the origin of the arboreal cuckoos (derived group) in South America, where they dispersed to other continents.