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Genomic and geographic diversification of a “great-speciator” (Rhipidura rufifrons)

Klicka, Lukas1

Published Jul 22, 2025 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.1jwstqjxx

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Abstract

The radiation of so-called “great speciators” represents a paradox among the myriad avian radiations endemic to the southwest Pacific. In such radiations, lineages otherwise capable of dispersing across vast distances of open ocean differentiate rapidly and frequently across relatively short geographic barriers. Here, we evaluate the phylogeography of the Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons). Although a presumed “great-speciator”, no formal investigations across its range have been performed. Moreover, the delimitation of lineages within R. rufifrons, and the biogeographic implications of those relationships remain unresolved. To investigate whether R. rufifrons represents a great speciator, we identified thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms for 89 individuals, representing 19 described taxa. Analyses recovered seven divergent lineages and evidence of gene flow between geographically isolated populations. We also found plumage differences to be a poor proxy for evolutionary relationships. Given the relatively recent divergence dates for the clade (1.35–2.31 mya), rapid phenotypic differentiation, and evidence for multiple independent lineages within the species complex, we determine that R. rufifrons possesses the characteristics of a great speciator.