Color and morphological differentiation in the Sinaloa Wren (Thryophilus sinaloa) in the tropical dry forests of Mexico: The role of environment and geographic isolation

PLoS One. 2022 Jun 23;17(6):e0269860. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269860. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The role and the degree to which environment and geographic isolation contribute to phenotypic diversity has been widely debated. Here, we studied phenotypic variation (morphology and plumage reflectance) in the Sinaloa Wren, an endemic bird distributed throughout the tropical dry forest (TDF) on the Mexican pacific slope where a pronounced variability in environmental conditions has been reported. In particular, we aimed: 1) to characterize phenotypic variation between subspecies; 2) to analyze the relationship between phenotypic and environmental variation in the context of classic ecogeographic rules, such as Bergmann's, Allen's, Gloger's, and Bogert's, and to quantify the relative roles of environment and geographic isolation and their interaction in shaping phenotypic variation; and 3) to test for niche conservatism between subspecies. Our data revealed significant differences among subspecies morphology and plumage reflectance. The environment explained a higher proportion of the morphological variation, while geography explained a smaller proportion. However, variation in plumage reflectance was mainly explained by the joint effect of geography and environment. Our data did not support for Bergmann´s and Allen´s rule. However, longer tails and wings were positively associated with higher elevations, larger tarsus and culmens were positively related to higher latitudes and to greater tree cover, respectively. Our data partially supported Gloger´s rule, where darker plumages were associated with more humid environments. The effects of temperature on plumage coloration were more consistent with Bogert´s rule. In addition, we found darker plumages related to higher levels of UV-B radiation. Finally, niche divergence was detected between T. s. cinereus and T. s. sinaloa vs. T. s. russeus. In a continuously distributed ecosystem such as the TDF on the pacific slope of Mexico, the environmental conditions and geographic isolation have played an important role in promoting phenotypic differentiation in the Sinaloa Wren.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ecosystem*
  • Forests
  • Geography
  • Mexico
  • Songbirds*

Grants and funding

Our research was funded by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT, https://conacyt.mx) through project grants PDCPN 2015-1250 to CG and by a doctoral scholarship (371634) to AM; by the American Ornithological Society (https://americanornithology.org) and by the National Geographic Society (grant number EC-61696R-19, https://www.nationalgeographic.org) to AM. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.