Adaptive processes drive ecomorphological convergent evolution in antwrens (Thamnophilidae)

Phylogenetic niche conservatism and convergence are contrasting evolutionary patterns that describe phenotypic similarity across independent lineages. Assessing whether and how adaptive processes give origin to these patterns represent a fundamental step toward understanding phenotypic evolution. Phylogenetic model-based approaches offer the opportunity not only to distinguish between phylogenetic niche conservatism and convergence, but also to determine the extent that adaptive processes explain phenotypic similarity. The Myrmotherula complex in the Neotropical family Thamnophilidae is a polyphyletic group of sexually dimorphic small insectivorous forest birds that are relatively homogeneous in size and shape. Here, we integrate a comprehensive species-level molecular phylogeny of the Myrmotherula complex with morphometric and ecological data within a comparative framework to test whether phenotypic similarity is described by a pattern of phylogenetic niche conservatism or convergence,...系统发育生态位保守性（phylogenetic niche conservatism）与趋同演化是两种对立的演化模式，二者用于描述独立演化支间的表型相似性。探究适应性过程是否以及如何催生此类演化模式，是解析表型演化机制的核心步骤。基于系统发育模型的研究方法不仅可区分系统发育生态位保守性与趋同演化，还能量化适应性过程对表型相似性的解释程度。新热带界蚁鵙科（Thamnophilidae）的蚁鹩属复合体（Myrmotherula complex）为一多系群类群，该类群属于具性二态性的小型食虫林栖鸟类，体型与形态相对均一。本研究整合蚁鹩属复合体的全面物种级分子系统发育数据，结合比较分析框架中的形态计量与生态学数据，检验表型相似性究竟符合系统发育生态位保守性还是趋同演化模式……