| Abstract: | Cruaud, A., Raherilalao, M. J., Pasquet, E. & Goodman, S. M. (2011) Phylogeography and systematics of the Malagasy rock‐thrushes (Muscicapidae, Monticola). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 554–566. The patterns of genetic variation and the systematics of members of the widespread Old World genus Monticola (Family Muscicapidae) occurring on Madagascar remain unresolved. Herein, we address these questions by examining the phylogeography of Malagasy Monticola using two molecular markers (ND2 and ATP6, 1.5 kb) from 60 individuals sampled across their known range. To clarify the relationships within the clade groupings, we use a statistical haplotype network and an analysis of the genetic structure of the different populations sampled. A morphological study was conducted in parallel that used many of the same individuals employed in the molecular study to examine potential differences between the recovered clades. Based on molecular genetics and morphology, M. imerinus is distinct from the M. sharpei complex, which is composed of five phylogroups: Group A (Central Highlands, typical sharpei), Group B (Central West, Bemaraha), Group C (Northern Highlands), Group D (Montagne d’Ambre, erythronotus) and Group E (Southwestern, bensoni). While molecular data show high levels of geographical structure, these differences exhibit low levels of intergroup genetic divergence (0.01–0.07%). We suggest that two species of Monticola occur on Madagascar, imerinus and sharpei, and the forms referable to bensoni and erythronotus, as well as unnamed populations from the Central West (Bemahara), should be considered as part of M. sharpei and are populations that are probably isolated and undergoing incipient speciation. |
