Molecular divergence among Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui populations suggests unrecognised diversity

Recently described vocal variation within the monotypic Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui has been used to suggest the presence of two allopatric species separated by the Dahomey Gap in western Africa. Using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences from two genes, we investigated molecular patterns of divergence across the species' range, in light of the published vocal variation. We found support for a genetic break at the Dahomey Gap, but also identified much deeper divergence among other populations in the eastern part of the species' range. Deep genetic divergence, and geographic variation in the species' vocalisations, suggest a greater degree of diversity in this species than currently recognised.