A new methodology to use color spectral data for taxonomic, phylogenetic, and biogeographic studies

Abstract

I developed a methodology to obtain and compare integral information on bird plumage coloration, using color spectral data to conduct studies on geographic variation, taxonomy and phylogeny of different bird groups. I used principal component analysis and discriminant function analysis to analyze and compare the color spectra of different body parts of the individuals included in the groups. I took these spectral data to perform phylogenetic analyses using PAUP by adapting the generalized frequency coding method as a tool to code the continuous spectral and morphometric data into discrete variables. Using these methods and statistical tools, I have reviewed the taxonomy of three mango hummingbird genera occurring in South and Central America and the Caribbean islands (Topaza, Anthracothorax, and Eulampis). This constitutes an applied example of the methodology that allowed me to make some conclusions and suggestions about the taxonomy, phylogeny, and biogeography of the group.