Analyses of plumage coloration and genetic variation confirm the hybridization of Pipra fasciicauda and Pipra aureola in the Brazilian Amazon basin

Abstract

The present study aimed to confirm the occurrence of a hybridization event between the band-tailed manakin (Pipra fasciicauda) and the crimson-hooded manakin (Pipra aureola), based on the existence of a specimen that presents morphological traits of both taxa. We analyzed 297 taxidermized skins of adult males of the two species, including the potential hybrid. We also analyzed the mitochondrial (ND2, ND3 e COI) and nuclear (FGB-I5, MB-I2 e GAPDH-I3) genes of 12 adult specimens of the two taxa, diagnosed phenotypically, in addition to the potential hybrid. The analyses of the plumage indicated that the potential hybrid has an intermediate pattern of white banding on the tail that is less extensive than that found in Pipra fasciicauda, but that its other phenotypic traits are characteristic of Pipra aureola. The molecular topologies revealed two clades, one that groups P. aureola together with the potential hybrid, and the other that corresponds to P. fasciicauda. These findings allowed us to confirm the occurrence of a process of hybridization and potential introgression through secondary events in the P. aureola lineage.