The " guanaco " is an endangered South American camelid protected in Peru by D.S. Nº 034-2004-AG.... more The " guanaco " is an endangered South American camelid protected in Peru by D.S. Nº 034-2004-AG. Calipuy National Reserve (RNC) is one of the few places where the guanacos are protected; furthermore it is the septentrional limit of its distribution in South America. Rustic communities can give us useful information to establish management plans. Our aim was to looking for the interest, knowledge and attitudes from communities respect to management and conservation of guanacos and the RNC. We interviewed people from communities who live around the RNC. We focus in four issues: knowledge about guanacos, problematic between guanacos and people, management of wild animals, and the current situation of guanacos and the RNC. We found that people had a favorable attitude to management and conserve of guanaco, although it is necessary to do more studies about this specie and its farming-social-economic situation, and promote it more to use like an economic resource.
Disjunct intercontinental distributions have always fascinated biologists. With the increasing av... more Disjunct intercontinental distributions have always fascinated biologists. With the increasing availability of molecular sequence data, there is a renewed interest in historical biogeography, especially in groups in which species boundaries have changed dramatically as a result, such as lichenized fungi. In the hyperdiverse family Parmeliaceae, Parmelina and Myelochroa have contrasting centres of distribution, with Myelochroa being most diverse in eastern Asia and Parmelina in Western Europe and the Mediterranean. We used multi-locus sequence data from 53 specimens to understand the impact of historical events on the current distribution patterns in these genera. We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships, estimated divergence times and inferred ancestral distributions. Our analyses suggested that the ancestor of the two genera occurred in the Old World and that these genera split during the Eocene. Diversification in both genera was estimated to have occurred during the Miocene, with the ancestor of Myelochroa probably occurring in Asia, whereas the ancestor of Parmelina probably occurred in the Turanian region and Europe or only Europe. The two Parmelina spp. occurring in the New World (P. coleae, P. yalungana) are not closely related and migrated independently from the Old World.
It is suggested that dispersal and vicariance led
to speciation in Mesoamerican taxa during the P... more It is suggested that dispersal and vicariance led to speciation in Mesoamerican taxa during the Pleistocene, as a consequence of climatic fluctuations and resulting range disjunctions, but few biogeographic studies have been developed to assess their relative roles. Based on a mitochondrial DNA dataset, we analyzed the evolutionary history of Turdus assimilis, a species distributed in Mesoamerica and northwestern South America. Phylogenetic patterns, divergence times, and biogeographic analyses suggest a South American ancestor for T. assimilis, which split from T. albicollis between 1.4 and 3.0 Ma ago. The analysis suggests the colonization of Mesoamerica and the Choco´ region by small numbers of founder individuals. Furthermore, genetic divergence, reciprocal monophyly, an ancient disjunction, and clear phenotypic differences suggest that the population from the Choco´ region, T. a. daguae, represents a separate species from T. assimilis.
The genetic diversity and population structure of the foliose lichenized fungus Parmelina tilia-c... more The genetic diversity and population structure of the foliose lichenized fungus Parmelina tilia-cea has been analyzed through its geographical range, including samples from Macaronesia (Canary Islands), the Mediterranean, and Eurosiberia. DNA sequences from the nuclear ri-bosomal internal transcribed spacer, the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, and the translation elongation factor 1-α were used as molecular markers. The haplotypes of the three markers and the molecular variance analyses of multilocus haplotypes showed the highest diversity in the Canary Islands, while restricted haplotypes occurred at high frequencies in Mediterranean coastal samples. The multilocus haplotypes formed three unevenly distributed clusters (clusters 1-3). In the Canary Islands all the haplotypes were present in a similar proportion, while the coastal Mediterranean sites had almost exclusively haplotypes of cluster 3; cluster 2 predominated in inland Mediterranean sites; and cluster 1 was more abundant in central and northern Europe (Eurosiberian area). The distribution of clusters is partially explained by climatic factors, and its interaction with local spatial structure, but much of the variation remains unexplained. The high frequency of individuals in the Canary Islands with haplotypes shared with other areas suggests that could be a refugium of genetic diversity , and the high frequency of individuals of the Mediterranean coastal sites with restricted haplotypes indicates that gene flow to contiguous areas may be restricted. This is significant for the selection of areas for conservation purposes, as those with most genetic variation may reflect historical factors and biological properties of the species.
While high species diversity of lichen - lichenized fungi - is reported especially in the tropics... more While high species diversity of lichen - lichenized fungi - is reported especially in the tropics, the studies on these organisms are still scarce in Peru. Using conventional methodology and current literature on the description of genera and species, we reported macro-lichens collected from Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (Cusco, Peru). Sixty seven species of macro-lichens are reported to SHMP, nine new records to Peru are documented. Parmeliaceae, Physciaceae and Lobariaceae are the families with major number of species.
Parmelina tiliacea is a common, widely distributed species in southwestern Europe, easily identif... more Parmelina tiliacea is a common, widely distributed species in southwestern Europe, easily identifiable by morphology and much used as an air pollution bioindicator in many regions. A molecular phylogenetic survey of samples from many geographical areas, using Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian inference of nuITS and mtLSU rDNA regions, revealed a group of samples geographically restricted to a small region of the Iberian Peninsula and genetically separated from the other P. tiliacea specimens studied. These samples are morphologically indistinguishable from P. tiliacea, apart from subtle anatomical characters in the ascomata (hyphae of the exciple and ascospore width), which are frequently absent. Although geographically different, the two taxa occupy similar habitats and are even sympatric in some areas, indicating that they do not exchange genetic material. This previously overlooked, and apparently endemic lineage, is described as P. cryptotiliacea sp. nov., and the name Lichen tiliaceus is epitypified by a sequenced specimen to fix the application of Parmelina tiliacea to the widespread genotype. A second unexpected result was the discovery that the morphologically distinct P. pastillifera was nested within P. tiliacea. These two cases stress the need to use molecular tools to elucidate species concepts even within widespread morphologically well-characterized macrolichens. Such investigations are necessary to improve our understanding and estimation of biodiversity, and to facilitate the development of sound biodiversity conservation strategies for lichens.
Cactus Canastero Pseudasthenes cactorum is endemic to the coastal hills and lower west slope of
t... more Cactus Canastero Pseudasthenes cactorum is endemic to the coastal hills and lower west slope of the Andes in central and southern Peru. Great Inca Finch Incaspiza pulchra is another endemic distributed in the highlands of Ancash and Lima, in central Peru. We recorded both species in the coastal Cerro Campana, prov. Trujillo, La Libertad, in northern Peru, thereby extending the range both species further north than previously known.
The sliver of humid tropical and montane forest on the east slope of the Andes in Ayacucho Depart... more The sliver of humid tropical and montane forest on the east slope of the Andes in Ayacucho Department ranks among the least surveyed sectors of the Peruvian Andes. This mountainous region, along with adjacent Apurímac Department and western Cuzco Department, comprise the Apurímac River Valley, a putative biogeographic barrier. Hence, understanding avian distributions in the vicinity of the Apurímac River Valley is fundamental to understanding faunal turnover across it. Here, we report results of recent avifaunal surveys (2008–2012) from five sites in the Apurímac Valley region. We report 35 bird species previously undocumented in Ayacucho, six of which represent range extensions, including records of the endemic Black-spectacled Brush-Finch (Atlapetes melanopsis), Marcapata Spinetail (Cranioleuca marcapatae), and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (Poospiza caesar); the remaining records filled perceived range gaps. Specimen evidence suggests little phenotypic introgression between differentiated forms across the region, except for apparent introgression zones in Superciliaried Hemispingus (Hemispingus superciliaris) and Mountain Cacique (Cacicus chrysonotus); these observations uphold the idea that the Apurímac River Valley functions to isolate bird populations. Specimens of two Grallaria sp. and one Scytalopus sp. may represent new taxa, two of which appear to be endemic to Ayacucho (the third extends into adjacent Junín Department). More generally, montane forest bird species richness and avian endemism in eastern Ayacucho are similar to those of Cuzco and Pasco departments; previous assessments that considered Ayacucho as an area of reduced diversity were misled by sparse sampling effort.
We studied the evolutionary history of the Parmeliaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), one of the... more We studied the evolutionary history of the Parmeliaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), one of the largest families of lichen-forming fungi with complex and variable morphologies, also including several lichenicolous fungi.
Recently, molecular phylogenetic studies have revolutionized the generic concepts in Parmeliaceae... more Recently, molecular phylogenetic studies have revolutionized the generic concepts in Parmeliaceae and in lichen forming fungi in general. In the present study, the generic delimitation in the Hypotrachyna clade is revised using a molecular phylogeny of nuclear ITS, LSU and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences of 88 hypotrachynoid taxa. Morphological and chemical features are also revised in each group. 118 sequences are newly generated for this study. Our phylogenetic analyses show the polyphyly of Hypotrachyna as currently circumscribed which falls into four well-supported and one unsupported clade. Cetrariastrum, Everniastrum and Parmelinopsis are nested within Hypotrachyna s. lat., Parmelinopsis being also polyphyletic and nested in one of the Hypotrachyna clades. Cetrariastrum is monophyletic but clustered within Everniastrum. Two alternative hypotheses tests significantly rejected the monophyly of these three genera. As a consequence, the genera Cetrariastrum, Everniastrum, and Parmelinopsis are reduced to synonymy with Hypotrachyna. Furthermore, we here propose an alternative classification to recognize the well-supported clades at subgeneric level and leave the remaining species unclassified within the genus. Five new subgenera are proposed: Hypotrachyna subgen. Cetrariastrum, Hypotrachyna subgen. Everniastrum, Hypotrachyna subgen. Longilobae, Hypotrachyna subgen. Parmelinopsis, and Hypotrachyna subgen. Sinuosae. Forty-nine new combinations are proposed.
Simultaneous assessment of epiphytic lichen diversity by teams from six European countries, follo... more Simultaneous assessment of epiphytic lichen diversity by teams from six European countries, following the procedures defined in the recently adopted European standard, revealed several sources of error (e.g. location of plot, selection of trees, identification of taxa). Routine training and further improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are suggested to boost the harmonization process of the European guidelines, which promises to be an effective tool for standardizing the assessment of lichen diversity.
Parmelioid lichens are a diverse and ubiquitous group of foliose lichens. Generic delimitation in... more Parmelioid lichens are a diverse and ubiquitous group of foliose lichens. Generic delimitation in parmelioid lichens has been in a state of flux since the late 1960s with the segregation of the large, heterogeneous genus Parmelia into numerous smaller genera. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that some of these new genera were monophyletic, some were not, and others, previously believed to be unrelated, fell within single monophyletic groups, indicating the need for a revision of the generic delimitations. This study aims to give an overview of current knowledge of the major clades of all parmelioid lichens. For this, we assembled a dataset of 762 specimens, including 31 of 33 currently accepted parmelioid genera (and 63 of 84 accepted genera of Parmeliaceae). We performed maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined datasets including two, three and four loci. Based on these phylogenies and the correlation of morphological and chemical
The " guanaco " is an endangered South American camelid protected in Peru by D.S. Nº 034-2004-AG.... more The " guanaco " is an endangered South American camelid protected in Peru by D.S. Nº 034-2004-AG. Calipuy National Reserve (RNC) is one of the few places where the guanacos are protected; furthermore it is the septentrional limit of its distribution in South America. Rustic communities can give us useful information to establish management plans. Our aim was to looking for the interest, knowledge and attitudes from communities respect to management and conservation of guanacos and the RNC. We interviewed people from communities who live around the RNC. We focus in four issues: knowledge about guanacos, problematic between guanacos and people, management of wild animals, and the current situation of guanacos and the RNC. We found that people had a favorable attitude to management and conserve of guanaco, although it is necessary to do more studies about this specie and its farming-social-economic situation, and promote it more to use like an economic resource.
Disjunct intercontinental distributions have always fascinated biologists. With the increasing av... more Disjunct intercontinental distributions have always fascinated biologists. With the increasing availability of molecular sequence data, there is a renewed interest in historical biogeography, especially in groups in which species boundaries have changed dramatically as a result, such as lichenized fungi. In the hyperdiverse family Parmeliaceae, Parmelina and Myelochroa have contrasting centres of distribution, with Myelochroa being most diverse in eastern Asia and Parmelina in Western Europe and the Mediterranean. We used multi-locus sequence data from 53 specimens to understand the impact of historical events on the current distribution patterns in these genera. We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships, estimated divergence times and inferred ancestral distributions. Our analyses suggested that the ancestor of the two genera occurred in the Old World and that these genera split during the Eocene. Diversification in both genera was estimated to have occurred during the Miocene, with the ancestor of Myelochroa probably occurring in Asia, whereas the ancestor of Parmelina probably occurred in the Turanian region and Europe or only Europe. The two Parmelina spp. occurring in the New World (P. coleae, P. yalungana) are not closely related and migrated independently from the Old World.
It is suggested that dispersal and vicariance led
to speciation in Mesoamerican taxa during the P... more It is suggested that dispersal and vicariance led to speciation in Mesoamerican taxa during the Pleistocene, as a consequence of climatic fluctuations and resulting range disjunctions, but few biogeographic studies have been developed to assess their relative roles. Based on a mitochondrial DNA dataset, we analyzed the evolutionary history of Turdus assimilis, a species distributed in Mesoamerica and northwestern South America. Phylogenetic patterns, divergence times, and biogeographic analyses suggest a South American ancestor for T. assimilis, which split from T. albicollis between 1.4 and 3.0 Ma ago. The analysis suggests the colonization of Mesoamerica and the Choco´ region by small numbers of founder individuals. Furthermore, genetic divergence, reciprocal monophyly, an ancient disjunction, and clear phenotypic differences suggest that the population from the Choco´ region, T. a. daguae, represents a separate species from T. assimilis.
The genetic diversity and population structure of the foliose lichenized fungus Parmelina tilia-c... more The genetic diversity and population structure of the foliose lichenized fungus Parmelina tilia-cea has been analyzed through its geographical range, including samples from Macaronesia (Canary Islands), the Mediterranean, and Eurosiberia. DNA sequences from the nuclear ri-bosomal internal transcribed spacer, the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, and the translation elongation factor 1-α were used as molecular markers. The haplotypes of the three markers and the molecular variance analyses of multilocus haplotypes showed the highest diversity in the Canary Islands, while restricted haplotypes occurred at high frequencies in Mediterranean coastal samples. The multilocus haplotypes formed three unevenly distributed clusters (clusters 1-3). In the Canary Islands all the haplotypes were present in a similar proportion, while the coastal Mediterranean sites had almost exclusively haplotypes of cluster 3; cluster 2 predominated in inland Mediterranean sites; and cluster 1 was more abundant in central and northern Europe (Eurosiberian area). The distribution of clusters is partially explained by climatic factors, and its interaction with local spatial structure, but much of the variation remains unexplained. The high frequency of individuals in the Canary Islands with haplotypes shared with other areas suggests that could be a refugium of genetic diversity , and the high frequency of individuals of the Mediterranean coastal sites with restricted haplotypes indicates that gene flow to contiguous areas may be restricted. This is significant for the selection of areas for conservation purposes, as those with most genetic variation may reflect historical factors and biological properties of the species.
While high species diversity of lichen - lichenized fungi - is reported especially in the tropics... more While high species diversity of lichen - lichenized fungi - is reported especially in the tropics, the studies on these organisms are still scarce in Peru. Using conventional methodology and current literature on the description of genera and species, we reported macro-lichens collected from Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (Cusco, Peru). Sixty seven species of macro-lichens are reported to SHMP, nine new records to Peru are documented. Parmeliaceae, Physciaceae and Lobariaceae are the families with major number of species.
Parmelina tiliacea is a common, widely distributed species in southwestern Europe, easily identif... more Parmelina tiliacea is a common, widely distributed species in southwestern Europe, easily identifiable by morphology and much used as an air pollution bioindicator in many regions. A molecular phylogenetic survey of samples from many geographical areas, using Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian inference of nuITS and mtLSU rDNA regions, revealed a group of samples geographically restricted to a small region of the Iberian Peninsula and genetically separated from the other P. tiliacea specimens studied. These samples are morphologically indistinguishable from P. tiliacea, apart from subtle anatomical characters in the ascomata (hyphae of the exciple and ascospore width), which are frequently absent. Although geographically different, the two taxa occupy similar habitats and are even sympatric in some areas, indicating that they do not exchange genetic material. This previously overlooked, and apparently endemic lineage, is described as P. cryptotiliacea sp. nov., and the name Lichen tiliaceus is epitypified by a sequenced specimen to fix the application of Parmelina tiliacea to the widespread genotype. A second unexpected result was the discovery that the morphologically distinct P. pastillifera was nested within P. tiliacea. These two cases stress the need to use molecular tools to elucidate species concepts even within widespread morphologically well-characterized macrolichens. Such investigations are necessary to improve our understanding and estimation of biodiversity, and to facilitate the development of sound biodiversity conservation strategies for lichens.
Cactus Canastero Pseudasthenes cactorum is endemic to the coastal hills and lower west slope of
t... more Cactus Canastero Pseudasthenes cactorum is endemic to the coastal hills and lower west slope of the Andes in central and southern Peru. Great Inca Finch Incaspiza pulchra is another endemic distributed in the highlands of Ancash and Lima, in central Peru. We recorded both species in the coastal Cerro Campana, prov. Trujillo, La Libertad, in northern Peru, thereby extending the range both species further north than previously known.
The sliver of humid tropical and montane forest on the east slope of the Andes in Ayacucho Depart... more The sliver of humid tropical and montane forest on the east slope of the Andes in Ayacucho Department ranks among the least surveyed sectors of the Peruvian Andes. This mountainous region, along with adjacent Apurímac Department and western Cuzco Department, comprise the Apurímac River Valley, a putative biogeographic barrier. Hence, understanding avian distributions in the vicinity of the Apurímac River Valley is fundamental to understanding faunal turnover across it. Here, we report results of recent avifaunal surveys (2008–2012) from five sites in the Apurímac Valley region. We report 35 bird species previously undocumented in Ayacucho, six of which represent range extensions, including records of the endemic Black-spectacled Brush-Finch (Atlapetes melanopsis), Marcapata Spinetail (Cranioleuca marcapatae), and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (Poospiza caesar); the remaining records filled perceived range gaps. Specimen evidence suggests little phenotypic introgression between differentiated forms across the region, except for apparent introgression zones in Superciliaried Hemispingus (Hemispingus superciliaris) and Mountain Cacique (Cacicus chrysonotus); these observations uphold the idea that the Apurímac River Valley functions to isolate bird populations. Specimens of two Grallaria sp. and one Scytalopus sp. may represent new taxa, two of which appear to be endemic to Ayacucho (the third extends into adjacent Junín Department). More generally, montane forest bird species richness and avian endemism in eastern Ayacucho are similar to those of Cuzco and Pasco departments; previous assessments that considered Ayacucho as an area of reduced diversity were misled by sparse sampling effort.
We studied the evolutionary history of the Parmeliaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), one of the... more We studied the evolutionary history of the Parmeliaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), one of the largest families of lichen-forming fungi with complex and variable morphologies, also including several lichenicolous fungi.
Recently, molecular phylogenetic studies have revolutionized the generic concepts in Parmeliaceae... more Recently, molecular phylogenetic studies have revolutionized the generic concepts in Parmeliaceae and in lichen forming fungi in general. In the present study, the generic delimitation in the Hypotrachyna clade is revised using a molecular phylogeny of nuclear ITS, LSU and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences of 88 hypotrachynoid taxa. Morphological and chemical features are also revised in each group. 118 sequences are newly generated for this study. Our phylogenetic analyses show the polyphyly of Hypotrachyna as currently circumscribed which falls into four well-supported and one unsupported clade. Cetrariastrum, Everniastrum and Parmelinopsis are nested within Hypotrachyna s. lat., Parmelinopsis being also polyphyletic and nested in one of the Hypotrachyna clades. Cetrariastrum is monophyletic but clustered within Everniastrum. Two alternative hypotheses tests significantly rejected the monophyly of these three genera. As a consequence, the genera Cetrariastrum, Everniastrum, and Parmelinopsis are reduced to synonymy with Hypotrachyna. Furthermore, we here propose an alternative classification to recognize the well-supported clades at subgeneric level and leave the remaining species unclassified within the genus. Five new subgenera are proposed: Hypotrachyna subgen. Cetrariastrum, Hypotrachyna subgen. Everniastrum, Hypotrachyna subgen. Longilobae, Hypotrachyna subgen. Parmelinopsis, and Hypotrachyna subgen. Sinuosae. Forty-nine new combinations are proposed.
Simultaneous assessment of epiphytic lichen diversity by teams from six European countries, follo... more Simultaneous assessment of epiphytic lichen diversity by teams from six European countries, following the procedures defined in the recently adopted European standard, revealed several sources of error (e.g. location of plot, selection of trees, identification of taxa). Routine training and further improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are suggested to boost the harmonization process of the European guidelines, which promises to be an effective tool for standardizing the assessment of lichen diversity.
Parmelioid lichens are a diverse and ubiquitous group of foliose lichens. Generic delimitation in... more Parmelioid lichens are a diverse and ubiquitous group of foliose lichens. Generic delimitation in parmelioid lichens has been in a state of flux since the late 1960s with the segregation of the large, heterogeneous genus Parmelia into numerous smaller genera. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that some of these new genera were monophyletic, some were not, and others, previously believed to be unrelated, fell within single monophyletic groups, indicating the need for a revision of the generic delimitations. This study aims to give an overview of current knowledge of the major clades of all parmelioid lichens. For this, we assembled a dataset of 762 specimens, including 31 of 33 currently accepted parmelioid genera (and 63 of 84 accepted genera of Parmeliaceae). We performed maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of combined datasets including two, three and four loci. Based on these phylogenies and the correlation of morphological and chemical
Uploads
Papers by Jano Nuñez Zapata
to speciation in Mesoamerican taxa during the Pleistocene,
as a consequence of climatic fluctuations and resulting
range disjunctions, but few biogeographic studies have
been developed to assess their relative roles. Based on a
mitochondrial DNA dataset, we analyzed the evolutionary
history of Turdus assimilis, a species distributed in
Mesoamerica and northwestern South America. Phylogenetic
patterns, divergence times, and biogeographic analyses
suggest a South American ancestor for T. assimilis,
which split from T. albicollis between 1.4 and 3.0 Ma ago.
The analysis suggests the colonization of Mesoamerica and
the Choco´ region by small numbers of founder individuals.
Furthermore, genetic divergence, reciprocal monophyly, an
ancient disjunction, and clear phenotypic differences suggest
that the population from the Choco´ region, T. a. daguae, represents a separate species from T. assimilis.
organisms are still scarce in Peru. Using conventional methodology and current literature on the description
of genera and species, we reported macro-lichens collected from Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (Cusco,
Peru). Sixty seven species of macro-lichens are reported to SHMP, nine new records to Peru are documented.
Parmeliaceae, Physciaceae and Lobariaceae are the families with major number of species.
the Andes in central and southern Peru. Great Inca Finch Incaspiza pulchra is another endemic
distributed in the highlands of Ancash and Lima, in central Peru. We recorded both species in the
coastal Cerro Campana, prov. Trujillo, La Libertad, in northern Peru, thereby extending the range
both species further north than previously known.
ranks among the least surveyed sectors of the Peruvian Andes. This mountainous region, along with adjacent Apurímac
Department and western Cuzco Department, comprise the Apurímac River Valley, a putative biogeographic barrier.
Hence, understanding avian distributions in the vicinity of the Apurímac River Valley is fundamental to understanding
faunal turnover across it. Here, we report results of recent avifaunal surveys (2008–2012) from five sites in the Apurímac
Valley region. We report 35 bird species previously undocumented in Ayacucho, six of which represent range extensions,
including records of the endemic Black-spectacled Brush-Finch (Atlapetes melanopsis), Marcapata Spinetail (Cranioleuca
marcapatae), and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (Poospiza caesar); the remaining records filled perceived range gaps.
Specimen evidence suggests little phenotypic introgression between differentiated forms across the region, except for
apparent introgression zones in Superciliaried Hemispingus (Hemispingus superciliaris) and Mountain Cacique (Cacicus
chrysonotus); these observations uphold the idea that the Apurímac River Valley functions to isolate bird populations.
Specimens of two Grallaria sp. and one Scytalopus sp. may represent new taxa, two of which appear to be endemic to Ayacucho (the third extends into adjacent Junín Department). More generally, montane forest bird species richness and avian
endemism in eastern Ayacucho are similar to those of Cuzco and Pasco departments; previous assessments that considered
Ayacucho as an area of reduced diversity were misled by sparse sampling effort.
to speciation in Mesoamerican taxa during the Pleistocene,
as a consequence of climatic fluctuations and resulting
range disjunctions, but few biogeographic studies have
been developed to assess their relative roles. Based on a
mitochondrial DNA dataset, we analyzed the evolutionary
history of Turdus assimilis, a species distributed in
Mesoamerica and northwestern South America. Phylogenetic
patterns, divergence times, and biogeographic analyses
suggest a South American ancestor for T. assimilis,
which split from T. albicollis between 1.4 and 3.0 Ma ago.
The analysis suggests the colonization of Mesoamerica and
the Choco´ region by small numbers of founder individuals.
Furthermore, genetic divergence, reciprocal monophyly, an
ancient disjunction, and clear phenotypic differences suggest
that the population from the Choco´ region, T. a. daguae, represents a separate species from T. assimilis.
organisms are still scarce in Peru. Using conventional methodology and current literature on the description
of genera and species, we reported macro-lichens collected from Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (Cusco,
Peru). Sixty seven species of macro-lichens are reported to SHMP, nine new records to Peru are documented.
Parmeliaceae, Physciaceae and Lobariaceae are the families with major number of species.
the Andes in central and southern Peru. Great Inca Finch Incaspiza pulchra is another endemic
distributed in the highlands of Ancash and Lima, in central Peru. We recorded both species in the
coastal Cerro Campana, prov. Trujillo, La Libertad, in northern Peru, thereby extending the range
both species further north than previously known.
ranks among the least surveyed sectors of the Peruvian Andes. This mountainous region, along with adjacent Apurímac
Department and western Cuzco Department, comprise the Apurímac River Valley, a putative biogeographic barrier.
Hence, understanding avian distributions in the vicinity of the Apurímac River Valley is fundamental to understanding
faunal turnover across it. Here, we report results of recent avifaunal surveys (2008–2012) from five sites in the Apurímac
Valley region. We report 35 bird species previously undocumented in Ayacucho, six of which represent range extensions,
including records of the endemic Black-spectacled Brush-Finch (Atlapetes melanopsis), Marcapata Spinetail (Cranioleuca
marcapatae), and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (Poospiza caesar); the remaining records filled perceived range gaps.
Specimen evidence suggests little phenotypic introgression between differentiated forms across the region, except for
apparent introgression zones in Superciliaried Hemispingus (Hemispingus superciliaris) and Mountain Cacique (Cacicus
chrysonotus); these observations uphold the idea that the Apurímac River Valley functions to isolate bird populations.
Specimens of two Grallaria sp. and one Scytalopus sp. may represent new taxa, two of which appear to be endemic to Ayacucho (the third extends into adjacent Junín Department). More generally, montane forest bird species richness and avian
endemism in eastern Ayacucho are similar to those of Cuzco and Pasco departments; previous assessments that considered
Ayacucho as an area of reduced diversity were misled by sparse sampling effort.