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Picidae (2 Viewers)

Picumnus limae, P. fulvescens

Lima, R.D., Tomotani, B.M. & Silveira, L.F. Colour variation and taxonomy of Picumnus limae Snethlage, 1924 and P. fulvescens Stager, 1961 (Piciformes: Picidae). J Ornithol (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-020-01745-0

Abstract:

Picumnus limae Snethlage, 1924 and Picumnus fulvescens Stager, 1961 are two similar species of piculets distinguished by their plumage colouration and distribution. We present here a taxonomic reassessment of these two species based on a large sample of museum specimens and photographic material. We show that the two species are highly variable in colouration, showing a clinal colour gradient. Picumnus fulvescens is not diagnosable from P. limae by any morphological features or vocalization. We thus suggest that P. fulvescens should be considered a synonym of P. limae, which presents a large variation in plumage colour.
 
Peter Kovalik said:
Lima, R.D., Tomotani, B.M. & Silveira, L.F. Colour variation and taxonomy of Picumnus limae Snethlage, 1924 and P. fulvescens Stager, 1961 (Piciformes: Picidae). J Ornithol (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-020-01745-0

Abstract:

Picumnus limae Snethlage, 1924 and Picumnus fulvescens Stager, 1961 are two similar species of piculets distinguished by their plumage colouration and distribution. We present here a taxonomic reassessment of these two species based on a large sample of museum specimens and photographic material. We show that the two species are highly variable in colouration, showing a clinal colour gradient. Picumnus fulvescens is not diagnosable from P. limae by any morphological features or vocalization. We thus suggest that P. fulvescens should be considered a synonym of P. limae, which presents a large variation in plumage colour.
Click to expand...

Given the swathe of recent papers on integrative taxonomy, surely the last sentence of the abstract is somewhat premature? Although the paper apparently is behind a paywall, none of the references cited are obviously molecular or DNA based, and so it isn't at clear if such research would accord with, or contradict the comclusions of the methods used for this paper...
MJB
 
MJB said:
Given the swathe of recent papers on integrative taxonomy, surely the last sentence of the abstract is somewhat premature?
MJB
Click to expand...

I wonder if there is any other case in the Woodpecker family where two species can't be distinguished by plumage or voice, use the same habitat and are more or less parapatric.
The conclusion doesn't seem that premature to me, after all, historically most of the species status of taxa have been based on morphology alone, so why would downgrading based on the same criteria not be possible?

It is somewhat funny however that the first author is hereby eliminating the only existing bird species which carries his name (shared with one of his ancestors)… ;)
 
Peter Boesman said:
I wonder if there is any other case in the Woodpecker family where two species can't be distinguished by plumage or voice, use the same habitat and are more or less parapatric.
The conclusion doesn't seem that premature to me, after all, historically most of the species status of taxa have been based on morphology alone, so why would downgrading based on the same criteria not be possible?

It is somewhat funny however that the first author is hereby eliminating the only existing bird species which carries his name (shared with one of his ancestors)… ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks, Peter! Your last sentence may be describing reverse nominative determinism...?;);)
MJB
 
Thanks for the link... looks like a fairly decent analysis. While it's not surprising to have Picumnus taxa/populations that sound similar/identical and respond to each other, the plumage does appear to be the sole factor and it is quite neatly clinal. Genetics would be / will be interesting but I don't read this with skepticism and having read it I'm not left saying "Hrm better to wait."

Similar to some Owl splits/lumps based on vocalization... sure, genetics could prove us all wrong, but it sure appears "obvious/readily understood."
 
Picumnus fulvescens

Peter Kovalik said:
Lima, R.D., Tomotani, B.M. & Silveira, L.F. Colour variation and taxonomy of Picumnus limae Snethlage, 1924 and P. fulvescens Stager, 1961 (Piciformes: Picidae). J Ornithol (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-020-01745-0

Abstract:

Picumnus limae Snethlage, 1924 and Picumnus fulvescens Stager, 1961 are two similar species of piculets distinguished by their plumage colouration and distribution. We present here a taxonomic reassessment of these two species based on a large sample of museum specimens and photographic material. We show that the two species are highly variable in colouration, showing a clinal colour gradient. Picumnus fulvescens is not diagnosable from P. limae by any morphological features or vocalization. We thus suggest that P. fulvescens should be considered a synonym of P. limae, which presents a large variation in plumage colour.
Click to expand...

IOC Updates Diary Feb 25

Post proposed lump of Tawny Piculet with Ochraceous Piculet, tentatively as a distinct subspecies of the latter.
 
The correct genus for the Afrotropical woodpeckers Campethera caroli and Campethera nivosa (Aves: Piciformes, Picidae)

ROBERT J. DOWSETT, STEVEN M.S. GREGORY

https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4772.1.7

Abstract

We argue that the correct generic name for the Afrotropical woodpeckers usually known as Campethera caroli and Campethera nivosa (Aves: Piciformes, Picidae) should be Pardipicus Bonaparte, 1854, and we choose and propose Chloropicus caroli Malherbe, 1852 as type species. Fuchs et al. (2018) had suggested Stictopicus Malherbe, 1861, following Wolters (1977), but that genus has as type species Picus nubicus Boddaert, 1783 (= Campethera nubica).
 
LeNomenclatoriste said:
and we choose and propose Chloropicus caroli Malherbe, 1852 as type species.
Click to expand...
The type is Dendromus nivosus Swainson 1837 by designation in:
Cabanis J, Heine F. 1863. Museum heineanum. Verzeichniss der ornithologischen Sammlung des Oberamtmann Ferdinand Heine auf Gut St. Burchard vor Halberstadt. IV. Theil, die Klettervögel enthaltend. Heft 2: Spechte. Frantz'schen Buchhandlung, Halberstadt.
p. 130 (footnote): https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/49528244
 
l_raty said:
The type is Dendromus nivosus Swainson 1837
Click to expand...
Albeit, of course, this is not a problem if the name is to be used for Campethera caroli and Campethera nivosa together.
The type of Stictopicus Malherbe 1861 is indeed Picus nubicus Boddaert 1783 (by monotypy); and of course Pardipicus has priority.

-------------
Name : Pardipicus
Authority : Bonaparte
Year : 1854
OD ref : Bonaparte CL. 1854. Quadro dei volucri zigodattili, ossia passeri a piedi scansori. Ateneo Ital., 2: 116-129.
Page : 124
OD link : https://books.google.com/books?id=BR1pAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA124
Included nominal species : [Pardipicus nigriguttatus – a manuscript name by Verreaux, nude here], P. caroli, P. nivosus (syn. pardinus)
Type species : Dendromus nivosus Swainson 1837
Type species valid syn.? : in use
Fixation by : subsequent designation
Fixation ref : Cabanis J, Heine F. 1863. Museum heineanum. Verzeichniss der ornithologischen Sammlung des Oberamtmann Ferdinand Heine auf Gut St. Burchard vor Halberstadt. IV. Theil, die Klettervögel enthaltend. Heft 2: Spechte. Frantz'schen Buchhandlung, Halberstadt.
Page : 130
Fixation link : https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/49528244
Type OD ref : Swainson W. 1837. Birds of Western Africa. [2nd part.] Ornithology. Vol. VIII. In: Jardine W [ed]. The naturalist's library. WH Lizars, Edinburgh.
Page : 162
Type OD link : https://books.google.com/books?id=A44-AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA162
Notes : Invalid earlier designation: Gray GR. 1855. Catalogue of the genera and subgenera of birds contained in the British Museum. British Museum, London.; p. 93; https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/17136732 ; Picus nigriguttatus Verreaux; a nude name in the OD.
ICZN :
Available : yes
Family : Picidae

Name : Stictopicus
Authority : Malherbe
Year : 1861
OD ref : Malherbe A. 1861. Monographie des picidées ou Histoire naturelle des picidés, picumninés, yuncinés ou torcols. Vol. I. Société d'Histoire Naturelle de la Moselle, Metz.
Page : LIII
OD link : https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/48842114
Included nominal species : Stictopicus nubicus
Type species : Picus nubicus Boddaert 1783
Type species valid syn.? : in use
Fixation by : monotypy
Fixation ref : as OD
Page : as OD
Fixation link : as OD
Type OD ref : Boddaert P. 1783. Table des planches enluminéez d'histoire naturelle de M. D'Aubenton; Avec les denominations de M.M. de Buffon, Brisson, Edwards, Linnaeus et Latham, precedé d'une notice des principaux ouvrages zoologiques enluminés. S.n., Utrecht.
Page : 41
Type OD link : https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/27822661
Notes :
ICZN :
Available : yes
Family : Picidae​
 
LeNomenclatoriste said:
The correct genus for the Afrotropical woodpeckers Campethera caroli and Campethera nivosa (Aves: Piciformes, Picidae)

ROBERT J. DOWSETT, STEVEN M.S. GREGORY

https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4772.1.7

Abstract

We argue that the correct generic name for the Afrotropical woodpeckers usually known as Campethera caroli and Campethera nivosa (Aves: Piciformes, Picidae) should be Pardipicus Bonaparte, 1854, and we choose and propose Chloropicus caroli Malherbe, 1852 as type species. Fuchs et al. (2018) had suggested Stictopicus Malherbe, 1861, following Wolters (1977), but that genus has as type species Picus nubicus Boddaert, 1783 (= Campethera nubica).
Click to expand...

IOC Updates Diary May 14.

Revise genus of Buff-spotted Woodpecker and Brown-eared Woodpecker from Campethera to Pardipicus.
 
Peter Kovalik said:
Jérôme Fuchs, Jean-Marc Pons, Rauri C.K. Bowie. Biogeography and diversification dynamics of the African woodpeckers. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 13 January 2017.
Click to expand...

IOC Updates Diary May 14.

Split Fine-banded Woodpecker (Campethera taeniolaema, including hausburgi) from Tullberg’s Woodpecker (C. tullbergi).
 

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