Systematics and evolution in the tityrinae (Passeriformes: Tyrannoidea)

Abstract

We tested the monophyly and determined the phylogenetic relationships of the seven genera (Laniisoma, Laniocera, Iodopleura, Pachyramphus, Schiffornis, Tityra, and Xenopsaris) and 27 of the 31 recognized species of the subfamily Tityrinae using complete gene sequence data from the mitochondrial gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2. Monophyly of all seven genera was recovered using both weighted parsimony and Bayesian methods. Intergeneric relationships were nearly identical between the two methods and are largely in concordance with previous studies. Both analyses recovered two basal clades within the Tityrinae: one clade contained Schiffornis, Laniocera, and Laniisoma; the other clade consisted of Iodopleura, Tityra, Xenopsaris, and Pachyramphus. All genera in the Tityrinae that contained multiple species were monophyletic and are concordant with current taxonomy. We present the first phylogeny for Pachyramphus and suggest that Platypsaris is not valid. Character mapping of morphological, nest-construction, and breeding-system data on our phylogeny suggest conservative evolution of most characters. We recommend elevating the Tityrinae to family level. © The American Ornithologists' Union, 2007.