Juan Ignacio Areta

• PhD
• Principal Investigator at Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del Noroeste Argentino-CONICET

Ecological and geographical factors shape the current distribution of species. Analysing their interplay in a phylogenetic framework is key to understand the historical processes that have shaped the evolution of a group. Here, we modelled the ecological niches and geographic distributions of the five species of doraditos ( Pseudocolopteryx spp.) t...

Nests of 3 species of swifts were monitored at Parque Nacional Yacambú in the Venezuelan Andes from 2003 to 2008. We focused on 25 nests of the little-known Spot-fronted Swift (Cypseloides cherriei), herein reported in 2 new localities for Venezuela. We compared life history traits with those of the more studied and widespread Chestnut-collared (St...

Maxent species distribution models (SDMs) for rare, migratory taxa can be hindered by methodological and analytical issues. To overcome these problems, we developed an analytical framework to build SDMs for key stages of the annual lifecycle of the Marsh Seedeater and the Black-bellied Seedeater, two Neotropical grassland bird species of conservati...

New World crakes are intriguing, poorly known birds with cursorial cryptic habits; they belong to two unrelated tribes: Laterallini and Pardirallini. Recent genetic studies contributed to the phylogenetic knowledge of these tribes, but a complete phylogenetic reconstruction is still missing. Here, we present the most taxonomically complete dated ge...

A major barrier to advancing ornithology is the systemic exclusion of professionals from the Global South. A recent special feature, Advances in Neotropical Ornithology, and a shortfalls analysis therein, unintentionally followed a long-standing pattern of highlighting individuals, knowledge, and views from the Global North, while largely omitting...

The Amaurospiza “seedeaters” are bamboo‐specialised mixed strategists, most often found in bamboos in vegetative state, feeding on buds, shoots, petioles, and insects. As bamboos die after flowering, birds may wander in search of live vegetative bamboo. The three currently recognized species of Amaurospiza are allopatrically distributed: the Blacki...

The White-throated Cacholote Pseudoseisura gutturalis is a little studied, socially monogamous furnariid, endemic to arid Argentina. Here we provide novel information to characterize the breeding biology of the northern subspecies ochroleuca in the Monte Desert, Argentina, and discuss the similarities and differences with other Pseudoseisura specie...

Mixed‐species flocks of birds involve species with different roles and foraging strategies and are ubiquitous in forest environments. Species roles can broadly be categorized into leaders who attract other to form the flock, as well as lead the flock's movement; and follower species. The diversity of foraging strategies occurring in a mixed flock r...

Citizen science data are increasingly used for biodiversity monitoring. However, concerns are often raised over the accuracy of species identifications in citizen science databases, as data are collected mostly by non‐professionals. Misidentifications can simultaneously generate two error types: false positives (erroneous reports of a species) and...

We applied an integrative taxonomic framework to evaluate the systematics of the Neotropical Black-and-white Becard (Pachyramphus albogriseus Sclater 1857). Combining phylogenomic (ultraconserved elements), morphological, and vocalization data, we confirmed that this species is polyphyletic; some individuals form a clade sister to P. polychopterus...

The Scytalopus superciliaris complex consists of three recognized taxa: the Zimmer´s Tapaculo Scytalopus zimmeri in Bolivia and Argentina, and the Argentina endemic White-browed Tapaculo S. superciliaris with subspecies superciliaris and santabarbarae, while its southernmost population has a distinctive plumage but remains vocally unknown. Scytalop...

Distress vocalizations are emitted by animals experiencing extreme physical distress, such as when caught by a predator. These signals are emitted by numerous and phylogenetically distant vertebrate species and are composed of sequences of broadband and high-amplitude notes. In this study, we provide the frst acoustic characterization of distress v...

We documented a case of nonparental infanticide at a nest of White-throated Cacholote (Pseudoseisura gutturalis) in 2018 in xeric northwestern Argentina, the first confirmed for the large family Furnariidae. Competition for resources such as food or nest sites, rather than cannibalism or short-term mating opportunities, may underlie this event.

A major barrier to advancing ornithology is the systemic exclusion of professionals from the Global South. A recent special dossier, Advances in Neotropical Ornithology, and a shortfalls analysis therein, unintentionally followed a long-standing pattern of highlighting individuals, knowledge, and views from the Global North, while largely omitting...

Winter irruption refers to an unpredictable increase in the number of individuals usually dominated by one age class, either juvenile or adult, into a given area as a response to fluctuations in the food supply. Irruptions are well documented for avian predators breeding in the Arctic and Subarctic regions whereby individuals irrupt into irregular...

Mixed-species flocks presumably provide birds with antipredator and foraging benefits. The foraging benefits hypothesis predicts that a reduction in arthropod abundance will trigger flocking activity; however, flocking activity may also be influenced by the difficulty of detecting arthropods, a seldom explored possibility. We found that environment...

Modeling the distribution of a data-poor species is challenging due to a reliance on unstructured data that often lacks relevant information on sampling and produces coarse-resolution outputs of varying accuracy. Data on sampling effort associated with higher-quality, semi-structured data derived from some community science programs can be used to...

**Este documento es una traducción libre al castellano de los apéndices suplementarios correspondientes al artículo: Gorleri, F. C., and J. I. Areta (2021). Misidentifications in citizen science bias the phenological estimates of two hard‐to‐identify Elaenia flycatchers. Ibis. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12985

The confusing taxonomic history of Rough-legged Tyrannulet (Phyllomyias burmeisteri) casts doubt on whether a nest and egg from Brazilian Atlantic Forest might instead belong to the Greenish Tyrannulet (Phyllomyias virescens). A nest of P. burmeisteri placed 7.6 m.-up on a horizontal fork in a secondary horizontal branch of Myroxylon peruiferum in...

Supplementary material of our work entitled: "Misidentifications in citizen science bias the phenological estimates of two hard-to-identify Elaenia flycatchers" | Learn how to differentiate between Chilean Elaenia (Elaenia chilensis) and Small-billed Elaenia (Elaenia parvirostris).

Citizen science initiatives contain a large volume of observations that can be useful to address ecological questions for a wide array of organisms. However, one limitation of citizen science data is the potential for species misidentification. While recent studies have shown that citizen science data are relatively accurate for many taxa, the effe...

Many aspects of bird migration are necessarily innate. However, the extent of deterministic genetic control, environmental influence, and individual decision making in the control of migration remains unclear. Globally, few cases of rapid and dramatic life-history changes resulting in novel migration strategies are known. An example is latitudinal...

The continued loss, fragmentation, and degradation of forest habitats are driving an extinction crisis for tropical and subtropical bird species. This loss is particularly acute in the Atlantic Forest of South America, where it is unclear whether several endemic bird species are extinct or extant. We collate and model spatiotemporal distributional...

Rothschild’s Swift (Cypseloides rothschildi) is among the least known South American swifts. Here we clarify its distribution and seasonality, and provide detailed natural history data and breeding information. We compiled 197 records of Rothschild’s Swifts (museum specimens, citizen science initiatives, literature, and field observations) from Arg...

We present two new distributional country records based on previously misidentified sound recordings: Ocellated Crake, Micropygia schomburgkii (Schomburgk, 1848), in Zamora Chinchipe (Ecuador) and Rufous-faced Crake, Laterallus xenopterus Conover, 1934, in Madre de Dios (Peru). We show supporting spectrograms of sound recordings and provide tools t...

While bird vocalizations (produced by the syrinx) have been the focus of countless studies, mechanical sounds (produced by external body structures) have received much less attention. In particular, the evolutionary interplay between these two modes of acoustic communication remains largely unstudied. Here, we present the first species-level molecu...

Explaining the co-existence of sympatric and ecologically similar species is a central goal in ecology. In woodpeckers (Picidae), co-existence is frequently accompanied by plumage convergence. A particularly striking case concerns three woodpecker species in the Atlantic Forest of South America: Robust Woodpecker (Campephilus robustus), Lineated Wo...

La Becasina Común (Gallinago paraguaiae) posee dos subespecies, paraguaiae al este de los Andes a lo largo de Sudamérica y al norte de la Patagonia, y magellanica en centro y sur de Chile y en la Patagonia de Argentina Evaluamos la taxonomía en esta becasina analizando distintos despliegues acústicos utilizados durante la época reproductiva a lo la...

Acoustic displays of South American Gallinago p. paraguaiae and G. p. magellanica differ even more than between recognized sister species (e.g., G. gallinago, G. delicata). The 2 forms do not overlap geographically. We recommend that they be recognized as separate species.

Loud mechanical sounds with a communication role are called sonations. Male Subtropical Doraditos (Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis) exhibit five conspicuously modified primaries suspected of sonating. Here we 1) describe feather modifications, 2) describe three different territorial/aggressive contexts for these sounds: One-perch aerial displays, Two-...

Territoriality is a widespread behavioral phenomenon that functions for partitioning space and defending resources. Birds tend to defend territories against homospecific individuals through long-distance acoustic signals, but some species also exhibit interspecific territoriality. Two main hypotheses could explain interspecific territoriality media...

We analyzed breeding sounds of the two subspecies of South American Snipe Gallinago p. paraguaiae and G. p. magellanica to determine whether they may be different species: loud vocalizations given on the ground, and the tail‐generated Winnow given in aerial display. Sounds of the two taxa differ qualitatively and quantitatively. Both taxa utter two...

It is widely assumed that colonizing species thrive because they lack natural enemies in their new range, increasing their survival and reproductive success. Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) started to breed in South America around 1980 and since then have dramatically increased their population size and geographic range, in stark contrast to the de...

Vocalizations used for long‐range communication must disperse without significant structural changes to be decoded by receivers. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis (AAH) holds that, since acoustic signals are influenced by the habitat in which they disperse, sounds will possess specific structural characteristics to diminish sound degradation. Addi...

The genus Rhynchospiza comprises two species, the monotypic Tumbes Sparrow (R. stolzmanni) and the Stripe-crowned Sparrow (R. strigiceps) with subspecies strigiceps and dabbenei. In the study reported here we evaluated the taxonomic status of these taxa and discussed key features involved in speciation. All three taxa exhibited multiple differences...

Distress calls are signals given by individuals experiencing physical stress such as handling by a predator. These calls have been recorded in numerous phylogenetically distant vertebrate species, and share certain acoustic features, such as high amplitude, broadband, and rich harmonic structure. Screaming hairy armadillos (Chaetophractus vellerosu...

The migratory Rufous‐thighed Kite Harpagus diodon is widely distributed in South America, and a recent spatiotemporal analysis of its distribution largely based on citizen science data concluded that it breeds (almost) exclusively in the Atlantic Forest, constituting a “hidden endemism”, and that it is a complete migrant overwintering in the easter...

Tuco-tucos ( Ctenomys spp.) are subterranean rodents that produce territorial, high intensity long-range vocalizations (LRVs) of broadband and low frequency that are essential for long-distance communication between individuals in different tunnel systems. Despite their importance, the development of LRVs remains poorly understood. In adult Anillac...

El Bailarín Chico Común o Cachirla Común (Anthus correndera chilensis) es una de las seis subespecies del complejo A. correndera. Presenta una amplia distribución en Chile y Argentina, pero a pesar de ser un ave frecuente en su hábitat, el conocimiento de aspectos básicos de su historia natural es precario. En base a información generada en 10 loca...

Species limits in the Poospiza nigrorufa/whitii complex are not well understood. Three taxa formally described as species are now considered as subspecies (nigrorufa, whitii and wagneri) of a widespread species. The heavier nigrorufa has longer bill, tarsus and wings, is slightly dimorphic with males showing tawny rufous throat, breast and flanks,...

The Helmeted Woodpecker (Celeus galeatus), a threatened species endemic to the Atlantic Forest, co-exists with two other woodpecker species of similar appearance: the Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) and the Robust Woodpecker (Campephilus robustus). These are the three largest woodpecker species in the Atlantic Forest and they show a notabl...

Adult vocalizations can develop following three alternative modes; by retention of juvenile vocalizations, through the modification of juvenile precursors or by a de novo appearance in adults. Vocalizations that develop from juvenile precursors may develop following two pathways; vocal learning (implying the ability of juveniles to modify their voc...

Adult vocalizations can develop following three alternative modes; by retention of juvenile vocalizations, through the modification of juvenile precursors or by a de novo appearance in adults. Vocalizations that develop from juvenile precursors may develop following two pathways; vocal learning (implying the ability of juveniles to modify their voc...

According to both the predation avoidance and foraging efficiency hypotheses, birds within mixed flocks increase their foraging efficiency and/or can spend more time feeding and less time looking out for predators. These hypotheses predict that birds in mixed flocks obtain benefits. Thus, mixed flock formation could serve as a strategy to cope with...

A new species of rheid, Opisthodactylus kirchneri, sp. nov., is erected on the basis of associated elements of both hind limbs from the late Miocene in northwestern Argentina. The new species extends the biochron of Opisthodactylus from early Miocene to late Miocene and its distribution from Patagonia to northwest Argentina. Cladistic analysis reco...

When bird populations spread, long-distance pioneering populations are often backfilled by a more slowly advancing front [1-3]. The Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica, a globally distributed passerine [4, 5], expanded its breeding range an exceptional 7,000 km when it began breeding 35 years ago in its regular wintering range in Argentina [6], subsequent...

Amazonian rivers have been more frequently conceptualised as barriers rather than as habitats for birds with their own ecological and biogeographic histories. However, many river-restricted bird species have differentiated within the formidable network formed by the Amazon and its tributaries. Here we demonstrate that the riverine-distributed Crims...

The Alder (Empidonax alnorum) and Willow (E. trailli) flycatchers are cryptic species, and their distribution outside the breeding season is poorly known, owing mostly to identification difficulties. Our new records suggestthat large numbers of Alder Flycatchers overwinter in rivers crossing the Chaco region and in the foothill forests of the Yunga...

The underground environment poses particular communication challenges for subterranean rodents. Some loud and low-pitched acoustic signals that can travel long distances are appropriate for long-range underground communication and have been suggested to be territorial signals. Long-range vocalizations (LRVs) are important in long-distance communica...

Schematic representation of number of the long-range vocalizations of the Anillaco Tuco-Tuco (Ctenomys sp.). Figure S1. Schematic representation of number of series and individual notes in the long-range vocalizations of the Anillaco Tuco-Tuco (Ctenomys sp.) recorded in the field. Each scheme is preceded by the number of individual, weight at time...

Behavior during staged vocal encounters of the Anillaco Tuco-Tuco (Ctenomys sp.). Figure S3. Behavior during staged vocal encounters of the Anillaco Tuco-Tuco (Ctenomys sp.) in captivity. Encounters with long-range vocalization (white background) and first male-male encounters with courtship vocalization (gray background). Bars indicate the percent...

Diads. Audio sample of five diads of a single record.

Triads. Audio sample of two triads of a single record.

Table S2. Raw data.

Tetrads. Audio sample of two tetrads of a single record.

Artificial burrow system. Figure S2. Schematic representation of the artificial burrow system where behavioral context of long-range vocalizations of the Anillaco Tuco-Tuco (Ctenomys sp.) was studied.

Design of staged encounters between individuals of the Anillaco Tuco-Tuco (Ctenomys sp.) in laboratory experiments. Table S1. Design of staged encounters between individuals of the Anillaco Tuco-Tuco (Ctenomys sp.) in laboratory experiments to assess the function of long-range vocalizations. Three types of encounters were performed: male-male, male...

Individuals notes. Audio sample of individuals notes of a single record.

Ecological segregation and interspecific territoriality can reduce exploitative competition in morphologically and ecologically very similar species allowing their coexistence. We studied habitat use and features, ecomorphology and homo- and heterospecific playback responses in the similar and sympatric Red-and-white Crake (Laterallus leucopyrrhus)...

The Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) breeds in South America --- Worldwide, the breeding of birds in overwintering areas is a rare phenomenon. The Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) breeds in North America and overwinters in South America, and five presumably unsuccessful breeding attempts have been documented during the Austral sprin...

Known with certainty solely from a unique male specimen collected in central Brazil in the first quarter of the 19th century, the Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) Hooded Seedeater Sporophila melanops has been one of the great enigmas of Neotropical ornithology, arguably the only one of a host of long-lost species from Brazil to remain obsti...

Field searches. Detailed itinerary of the field trips searching for Sporophila melanops in the Araguaia River basin. (DOCX)

Genetic sequences. Short fragments (<200 bp) of COI and Cyt-b genes of specimens sequenced for the present study. (DOCX)

Genetic p-distances for COI. Pairwise divergence of the sequences of the male holotype of Sporophila melanops and the presumed female to available sequences of Sporophila in GenBank (as of 29 February 2016). Roman numerals refer to the well-supported clades identified by Mason and Burns [17]. (DOCX)

Museum specimens examined. Most relevant specimens examined for this study. See also other examined specimens in Table 1 and in our previous publications [11,30–32,38,47,49]. (DOCX)

Specimen descriptions. Selected plumage descriptions and literal transcriptions of detailed taxonomic considerations in old references. (DOCX)

Genetic p-distances for Cyt-b. Pairwise divergence of the sequences of the male holotype of Sporophila melanops and the presumed female to available sequences of Sporophila in GenBank (as of 29 February 2016). Roman numerals refer to the well-supported clades identified by Mason and Burns [17]. (DOCX)

Worldwide, the breeding of birds in overwintering areas is a rare phenomenon. The Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) breeds in North America and overwinters in South America, and five presumably unsuccessful breeding attempts have been documented during the Austral spring and summer in east-central Argentina and central Chile. Here we describ...

Participation in mixed species flocks may help increase feeding efficiency (number of attacks/time) of birds by finding more places to feed, knowing recently depleted areas, benefiting from flushing insects, and increasing predation avoidance. Birds in yungas foothill live in a fragmented landscape. Forest fragments could contain limited food in co...

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We examined vocal interactions between sympatric Laterallus leucopyrrhus and L. melanophaius in the coast of the Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.