Phylogenomics and biogeography of the parrot genus Pyrrhura with implications for systematics and conservation

Abstract The genus Pyrrhura (Psittacidae: Arini) is one of the most diverse groups of Neotropical parrots. Its species are charismatic, widely kept as pets, and frequently bred outside their native ranges. Yet, nearly half are currently listed as threatened by the IUCN within their natural distributions. Conservation assessments and population estimates often depend on the validity of accepted taxonomic boundaries. However, despite previous systematic efforts, the evolutionary relationships among and within many Pyrrhura species remain poorly resolved, largely due to a recent and rapid radiation. Here, we generated whole-genome sequences for all currently recognized Pyrrhura species, including multiple intraspecific taxa, to reconstruct a robust nuclear phylogeny under the multi-species coalescent model, alongside the most comprehensive mitogenome-based phylogeny of the genus to date. Although both phylogenies supported the monophyly of most currently accepted species, we identified several instances of mito-nuclear discordance, particularly involving the placement of early-diverging lineages, which are best explained by incomplete lineage sorting and historical gene flow. Additionally, we detected three distinct captive lineages that do not cluster with any known wild populations, suggesting substantial overlooked genetic diversity in the world’s captive populations. Ancestral range reconstructions indicate multiple and relatively recent colonization events into the northern and central Andes, likely associated with the uplift of the Andes and the emergence of new ecological niches. Together, our results reveal a complex evolutionary history in Pyrrhura, shaped by rapid radiations, incomplete lineage sorting, and gene flow. We show that integrating nuclear and mitochondrial data with broad geographic and taxonomic sampling, including captive individuals, can uncover overlooked genetic diversity and help to resolve long-standing systematic uncertainties. Finally, we show that several topological discrepancies among previous studies can be attributed to differences in sampling strategies, particularly within the most polytypic Pyrrhura species. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.