Phylogenetic position and generic placement of the Socorro Wren (Thryomanes sissonii)

Abstract

Since early in its taxonomic history, placement of the Socorro Wren (Thryomanes sissonii) has been an object of contention. Of particular interest is its current placement in the genus Thryomanes, which makes that genus ditypic and leads to an odd biogeographic scenario for the Socorro Wren's colonization of Socorro Island. We assessed its phylogenetic position by analyzing 516 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA sequences from the ND2 gene of this species and 14 additional wren taxa. Contrary to its present placement, the Socorro Wren is nested phylogenetically within the House Wren species complex, being placed as sister to the clade Troglodytes aedon + T. musculus. The current hypothesis (i.e. sister to Thryomanes bewickii) is strongly invalidated by our analysis. Our analyses indicate that the most appropriate taxonomic classification for the Socorro Wren is Troglodytes sissonii.