Mitogenomic evidence reveals the phylogeography of Sulawesi Actenoides kingfisher linked to geological barriers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55981/treubia.2026.14305Keywords:
Actenoides, endemism, phylogenetics, SulawesiAbstract
The genus Actenoides (Alcedinidae) comprises brightly colored kingfishers endemic to the Indo-
Australian Archipelago. It provides a good model for exploring how geological and ecological factors
have shaped diversification across Wallacea. Sulawesi has the highest diversity of Actenoides compared
to single-island representatives elsewhere. We aimed to study the phylogenomics of Actenoides across
Indonesia, particularly in Sulawesi, to reveal evolutionary divergence associated with their endemicity
using the mitogenome. Phylogenomic relationships were reconstructed using Maximum Likelihood in
IQ-TREE. Phylogenomic relationships inferred from Maximum Likelihood in the IQ tree showed
divergence between Sulawesi Actenoides and A. concretus, and between A. princeps and A. monachus,
both supported by high bootstrap values. The genetic p-distance among those species inferred from the
NJ tree showed genetic distances of around 8% between the Sumatra (A. concretus) and Sulawesi
lineages, and 6% between A. monachus and A. princeps. Furthermore, the population from northeastern
Sulawesi for both A. princeps and A. monachus showed early divergence from other populations; hence,
it has deep and distinct lineages even from its closest sister populations in northwestern Sulawesi. These
findings highlight phylogenomic differentiation within Actenoides and emphasize the role of Sulawesi’s
complex geological history in promoting inland diversification of Wallacean birds.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Yohanna Yohanna, Anik Budhi Dharmayanthi, Karen M. C Rowe, Rachael L. Joakim, Rauri C. K. Bowie, Andrew Engilis, Luke Bloch, Tri Haryoko, Dewi Malia Prawiradilaga, Noviar Andayani, Jatna Supriatna
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