Phylogeny of Herons Estimated from DNA-DNA Hybridization Data

Genetic distances derived by hybridizing single-copy DNAs of 31 heron species (or subspecies) and 1 ibis species are summarized as ΔTm values. From these distances, a phylogeny is estimated and distributional properties of DNA hybridization data are computed. I found that the distinction between night and day herons is primarily adaptive, not genealogical; Syrigma is closely related to Egretta; Bubulcus and Casmerodius are closely related to Ardea, but Egretta is not; bitterns are the sister taxon of the day and night herons; Cochlearius and Tigrisoma are each others' closest relatives and together form the sister group of the rest of the ardeids; and the rate of single-copy DNA evolution differs in different heron lineages.