Speciational history of North American Haemorhous finches (Aves: Fringillidae) inferred from multilocus data

We investigated species relationships and timing of speciation in North American Haemorhous finches by using a mitochondrial phylogeographic approach combined with a multilocus species tree reconstruction. Haemorhous purpureus and H. cassinii were strongly supported as sister taxa, and H. mexicanus was sister to H. purpureus + H. cassinii. Our divergence times indicated that diversification within Haemorhous occurred progressively from the Late Miocene into the Pleistocene. Our inferred pattern of speciation demonstrates the complexity of the origins of North American birds, and provides additional evidence that a single cause for speciation in closely related North American birds, such as Late Pleistocene glacial–interglacial cycles, is unlikely.

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► Multilocus assessment of species relationships and timing of speciation in North American Haemorhous finches.
► Haemorhous purpureus and H. cassinii were sister taxa, and H. mexicanus was sister to H. purpureus + H. cassinii.
► Diversification occurred progressively from the Late Miocene into the Pleistocene.
► Our inferred pattern of speciation demonstrates the complexity of the origins of North American birds.