True francolins & spurfowls (2 Viewers)

[Daniel Philippe]

Mandiwana-Neudani, T. G. et al., 2011. A study of gross morphological and histological syringeal features of true francolins (Galliformes: Francolinus, Scleroptila, Peliperdix and Dendroperdix spp.) and spurfowls (Pternistis spp.) in a phylogenetic context. Ostrich 82 (2): 115-127.

Abstract:
Modern taxonomies of francolins recognise 41 congeneric species, forming the largest genus of terrestrial gamebirds (Galliformes). Recent molecular, ecological and behavioural studies challenge this view, suggesting that they comprise two unrelated, monophyletic groups. There are 'true' francolins (Francolinus, Dendroperdix, Peliperdix and Scleroptila spp.) that are relatively small, ground-roosting birds, and spurfowls (Pternistis spp.) that are large birds that can roost in trees. This study explores gross morphological and histological syringeal anatomy of francolins, spurfowls and sister taxa to test whether differences are concordant with a molecular-based hypothesis. Differences found were the presence of a shieldversus diamond-shaped tympanum among francolins and spurfowls respectively. The first bronchial half rings are mineralised among francolins except in Dendroperdix sephaena, whereas almost no mineral deposition was observed among spurfowls. Histologically, francolins have a small, rounded pessulus (except in D. sephaena, which has a rounded, larger pessulus) contrary to the larger pessulus observed among spurfowls, which is rounded and triangular in Pternistis capensis and P. natalensis. Both gross and histological similarities within, and differences between, francolin and spurfowl syringes support this division. However, D. sephaena shows intermediate features between francolins and spurfowls.

 

[Richard Klim]

Francolinus

Forcina, Panayides, Guerrini, Nardi, Gupta, Mori, Al-Sheikhly, Mansoori, Khaliq, Rank, Parasharya, Khan, Hadjigerou & Barbanera (in press). Molecular evolution of the Asian francolins (Francolinus, Galliformes): a modern reappraisal of a classic study in speciation. Mol Phylogenet Evol. [abstract]

 

[Richard Klim]

TiF

Forcina, Panayides, Guerrini, Nardi, Gupta, Mori, Al-Sheikhly, Mansoori, Khaliq, Rank, Parasharya, Khan, Hadjigerou & Barbanera (in press). Molecular evolution of the Asian francolins (Francolinus, Galliformes): a modern reappraisal of a classic study in speciation. Mol Phylogenet Evol. [abstract]

John Boyd (TiF):
www.jboyd.net/Taxo/changes.html [15 Sep 2012]
www.jboyd.net/Taxo/List2.html#phasianidae

 

[Richard Klim]

Pternistis

van Niekerk 2013. Vocal structure, behavior and partitioning of all 23 Pternistis spp. into homologous sound (and monophyletic) groups. Chinese Birds 4(3): 210–231. [abstract] [pdf]

 

[Peter Kovalik]

Giovanni Forcina, Panicos Panayides, Nikolaos Kassinis, Monica Guerrini & Filippo Barbanera. Genetic characterization of game bird island populations: The conservation of the black francolin (Francolinus francolinus) of Cyprus. Journal for Nature Conservation. Volume 22, Issue 1, February 2014, Pages 15–22.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2013.07.004

 

[Daniel Philippe]

Mandiwana-Neudani T.G., Bowie R.C.K., Hausberger M., Henry L. & Crowe T.M., 2014. Taxonomic and phylogenetic utility of variation in advertising calls of francolins and spurfowls (Galliformes: Phasianidae). Afr. Zool.: 49 (1): 54-82.

Abstract: Systematists have not often made use of avian vocalizations to assess the taxonomic rank of birds, or to infer their phylogenetic relationships. The likely reasons for this stem from the perceived inability to distinguish genetic and ecological components of variation in vocalizations, the difficulty in detecting homology across taxa, as well as the diverse selection pressures acting on vocal characters which may make such characters particularly prone to convergent evolution. In this study, we scored and analysed DNA and vocal characters of two delineated assemblages of gamebirds, francolins and spurfowls. Our phylogenetic results suggest that short strophes evolved from longer strophes among taxa within the genera Scleroptila and Peliperdix. More generally, our results corroborate the francolin–spurfowl dichotomy, with francolin calls generally being long and tonal, containing a series of discrete elements that have detectable harmonics. In contrast, most spurfowls render short, atonal calls with elements that generally have no harmonics, although they may contain discrete elements. Phylogenetically, Ortygornis sephaena is placed with ‘true’ francolins and its closest relatives are the two phylogenetically enigmatic Asian francolins, the grey francolin, Ortygornis pondicerianus, and swamp francolin, O. gularis.

 

[l_raty]

Mandiwana-Neudani T.G., Bowie R.C.K., Hausberger M., Henry L. & Crowe T.M., 2014. Taxonomic and phylogenetic utility of variation in advertising calls of francolins and spurfowls (Galliformes: Phasianidae). Afr. Zool.: 49 (1): 54-82.

[pdf]

 

[Richard Klim]

Mandiwana-Neudani et al 2014

Mandiwana-Neudani T.G., Bowie R.C.K., Hausberger M., Henry L. & Crowe T.M., 2014. Taxonomic and phylogenetic utility of variation in advertising calls of francolins and spurfowls (Galliformes: Phasianidae). Afr. Zool.: 49 (1): 54-82.

John Boyd (TiF):
www.jboyd.net/Taxo/changes.html (17 May 2014)
www.jboyd.net/Taxo/List2.html#phasianidae

 

[Papuan birder]

Töpfer, T., Podsiadlowski, L. & Gedeon, K., 2014. Rediscovery of the Black-fronted Francolin Pternistis (castaneicollis) atrifrons (Conover, 1930) (Aves: Galliformes: Phasianidae) with notes on biology, taxonomy and conservation. Vertebrate Zoology 64 (2): 261-271.

Abstract: In May 2012 and in May 2013 we searched for the Black-fronted Francolin Pternistis (castaneicollis) atrifrons in the Mega area in Southern Ethiopia. Since most of the scarcely published records date back about seven decades, our objectives were (1) to confirm its presence at the type locality, (2) to explore other potentially suitable areas, (3) to collect information on morphology and field characteristics, behaviour and habitat, (4) to conclude on its taxonomic position, and (5) to make a preliminary assessment of threats to the birds and their habitat. We recorded at least 12 different Black-fronted Francolin individuals on five sites around the town of Mega (04°03′28″ N 38°19′16″ E). The birds inhabited semi-open woodland between 1,480 and 2,223 m asl, where the original juniper forest has almost vanished because of heavy utilisation pressure, primarily by the expansion of agriculture, grazing and harvesting of firewood and timber. A typical external feature of the males is a clearly visible bald yellow patch behind the eye. While no other P. castaneicollis subspecies seems to have this spot, other francolin species have. Additionally, our molecular and bioacoustic data support the separate taxonomic status of atrifrons. Taking together all characters, assigning species status for the Black-fronted Francolin is justified. Based on our survey, we estimate the current population to be very small, rendering the Black-fronted Francolin the most endangered galliform bird of Africa. Also, we assume its range to be much smaller and more fragmented than previously thought, making the local populations crucially endangered.

www.senckenberg.de/files/content/fo...2_vertebrate_zoology_64-2_toepfer_261-271.pdf

 

[Melanie]

Töpfer, T., Podsiadlowski, L. & Gedeon, K., 2014. Rediscovery of the Black-fronted Francolin Pternistis (castaneicollis) atrifrons (Conover, 1930) (Aves: Galliformes: Phasianidae) with notes on biology, taxonomy and conservation. Vertebrate Zoology 64 (2): 261-271.

It should be mentioned that Conover already described it as full species in 1930. Would be interesting to know whether the upcoming HBW-BirdLife checklist will accept this split

 

[Richard Klim]

Francolinus

Mandiwana-Neudani 2014. Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of francolins ('Francolinus' spp.) Aves: Order Galliformes, Family Phasianidae. University of Cape Town: PhD thesis. [abstract] [pdf]

 

[andrew147]

Mandiwana-Neudani 2014. Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of francolins ('Francolinus' spp.) Aves: Order Galliformes, Family Phasianidae. University of Cape Town: PhD thesis. [abstract] [pdf]

This thesis has me confused. Peliperdix is clearly polyphyletic as shown in this study and in other recent papers. Consequently, Mandiwana-Neudani proposes a new name for P. lathami (= Afrocolinus gen. nov.) and retains all other spp in Peliperdix... new generic names for divergent taxa are of course very welcome but isn't P. lathami actually the type species of Peliperdix?

 

[l_raty]

but isn't P. lathami actually the type species of Peliperdix?

Peliperdix Bonaparte, 1856, type species Francolinus lathami Hartlaub, 1854, by original monotypy.
This is unquestionable...

 

[andrew147]

Not as shocking as the HBW Hylocharis blunder but still quite poor that this kind of thing gets through peer review...

 

[Nutcracker]

I've seen plenty of nomenclatural howlers get through peer review in botanical papers too. Sometimes, it's poor choice of reviewers (not having someone knowledgeable about nomenclature), sometimes, worse, it appears to be cronyism, with reviewers letting stuff go through on the nod because they are friends with (or have an unwarranted high opinion of) the authors.

Not as shocking as the HBW Hylocharis blunder

What was that one?

 

[l_raty]

What was that one?

Hylocharis Boie, 1831.
Originally included species: Trochilus sapphirinus Gmelin, Trochilus latirostris Wied-Neuwied, Trochilus cyanus Vieillot, Trochilus lazulus Vieillot, Trochilus cyanotropus Wied-Neuwied, Trochilus bicolor Gmelin.
No original type species fixation; type species fixed by subsequent designation by Gray, 1840: Trochilus sapphirinus Gmelin, 1788.

Currently HBW-Alive has this type species as Amazilia sapphirina, while Hylocharis is recognised for H. eliciae, H. cyanus and H. chrysura...

 

[Peter Kovalik]

TiF Update May 30:
Francolins: The Orange River Francolin, Scleroptila gutturalis, has been split into Archer's Francolin (including subspecies archeri and lorti) and Orange River Francolin, Scleroptila levaillantoides. See Mandiwana-Neudani et al. (2014) and Sinclair and Ryan (2003).

 

[Peter Kovalik]

Peliperdix

Tshifhiwa Constance Nangammbi, 2003. Taxonomy and phylogeny of red-tailed francolins (Genus Peliperdix). Thesis, University of Cape Town.

[PDF]

 

[Peter Kovalik]

Scleroptila

Tshifhiwa G Mandiwana, 2003. Taxonomy, phylogenetic and biogeographical relationships of African grassland Francolins (Genus: Scleroptila). Thesis, University of Cape Town.

Abstract and PDF here

 

[Peter Kovalik]

Francolinus pintadeanus

Xue-Juan Li and Li-Liang Lin. Complete mitochondrial genome of Francolinus pintadeanus (Galliformes: Phasianidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B Vol. 1 , Iss. 1,2016.

[pdf]