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Macroevolutionary studies which focus on the development of traits in a phylogenetic context are increasingly used to explore the evolutionary mechanisms and processes that have led to the diversity in species we see today. This includes the study of the evolution of climatic niches within taxonomic groups. Here, we used the leaf-warbler family (Aves: Phylloscopidae) and two dated phylogenetic trees on this group to assess how phylogenetic trees can affect results on the evolution of climatic niches. Trees applied differ in numbers of extant species and in species’ divergence times. We established ecological niche models from climate and occurrence data for all species represented in these trees and calculated predicted niche occupancies (PNOs) and ancestral niches for each of the two trees. Additionally, we examined the niche overlap and deviations from a Brownian motion model for each tree by assessing the accumulation of disparity through time, the strength of the phylogenetic signal and the best-fitting evolutionary model for different niche dimensions. We found differences in the evolutionary history of PNOs for the two phylogenetic trees. The accumulation of disparity through time, phylogenetic signal and mode of evolution of different climatic variables also differed when using the two trees and even suggested contrary interpretations. Our results indicate that the phylogenetic tree applied could strongly influence the outcome of similar macroevolutionary studies and recommend caution for their interpretation.

We review 147 incidents of the capture of small birds by mantids (order Mantodea, family Mantidae). This has been documented in 13 different countries, on all continents except Antarctica. We found records of predation on birds by 12 mantid species (in the genera Coptopteryx, Hierodula, Mantis, Miomantis, Polyspilota, Sphodromantis, Stagmatoptera, Stagmomantis, and Tenodera). Small birds in the orders Apodiformes and Passeriformes, representing 24 identified species from 14 families (Acanthizidae, Acrocephalidae, Certhiidae, Estrildidae, Maluridae, Meliphagidae, Muscicapidae, Nectariniidae, Parulidae, Phylloscopidae, Scotocercidae, Trochilidae, Tyrannidae, and Vireonidae), were found as prey. Most reports (>70% of observed incidents) are from the USA, where mantids have often been seen capturing hummingbirds attracted to food sources in gardens, i.e., hummingbird feeders or hummingbird-pollinated plants. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) was the species most frequently reported to be captured by mantids. Captures were reported also from Canada, Central America, and South America. In Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe, we found 29 records of small passerine birds captured by mantids. Of the birds captured, 78% were killed and eaten by the mantids, 2% succeeded in escaping on their own, and 18% were freed by humans. In North America, native and non-native mantids were engaged in bird predation. Our compilation suggests that praying mantises frequently prey on hummingbirds in gardens in North America; therefore, we suggest caution in use of large-sized mantids, particularly non-native mantids, in gardens for insect pest control.