Molecular Systematics of the Rhinocryptid Genus Pteroptochos

Relationships within the rhinocryptid genus Pteroptochos (huet-huets and turca) were investigated using complete sequences of the mitochondrial genes COII and ND3. Phylogenetic analysis of multiple individuals per taxon revealed that P. castaneus, P. tarnii, and P. megapodius constitute separate lineages, with P. castaneus and P. tarnii as sister taxa, and P. megapodius sister to these. Bootstrap support for these results was strong (79-100%). Sequence divergence between species was high, ranging from 6.1% between P. castaneus and P. tarnii to 7.6% between P. castaneus and P. megapodius. High genetic divergence between P. castaneus and P. tarnii is consistent with plumage and vocal differences between these taxa, and they appear to be separate species under both biological and phylogenetic species concepts. The BioBio River, a proposed dispersal barrier to P. tarnii, may be ineffective in limiting gene flow in this species, east of its confluence with the Laja River.