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Turdidae (2 Viewers)

I have especially looked at discussions for the Americas. Where 10 years ago you might get away with using only mitochondrial DNA as indicator of species status, currently you will have to include nuclear areas before the evidence will be taken seriously.

Niels
 
Isn't mtDNA the basis for commonly-accepted splits of e.g. Stejneger's Stonechat, Eastern Yellow Wagtail and Japanese/Cinereous Tit?
Meanwhile Two-barred Warbler is split despite sharing a mtDNA genome with obscuratus & trochiloides of Greenish (which viridanus does not share!)

Doesn't it just prove the inconsitency of taxonomy for those that needed it, is it another clash of the PSC and the BSC?

The prolific, splitting in some areas has been a discussion before, whilst field observations and vocalisations are one thing, how many would stand genetic scrutiny?



A
 
Matthew R. Halley. The ambiguous identity of Turdus mustelinus Wilson, and a neotype designation for the Veery Catharus fuscescens (Stephens). Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 138(2):79-92. 2018.

Abstract:

The long-recognised name of the Veery Catharus fuscescens (Stephens 1817) was intended to replace Tawny Thrush Turdus mustelinus Wilson, 1812, which was preoccupied by T. mustelinus J. F. Gmelin, 1789. Herein, I demonstrate that T. mustelinus Wilson is unidentifiable because it was based on attributes shared by more than one species, including some features that are a better match to other Catharus species than to Veery. None of the specimens mentioned in Wilson's description is extant. To maintain traditional nomenclature and to prevent destabilising confusion arising from alternative identifications, I designate a neotype for Turdus mustelinus Wilson and its replacement names, including T. fuscescens Stephens, fixing the name to the taxon to which it has been traditionally applied. The neotype is a colour-banded male that was tracked over two consecutive years with light-level geolocator and GPS tracking units. To my knowledge, it is the first bird specimen in any collection for which migratory data were collected with either device.

[pdf]
 
Zoothera spp

Jason T. Weir. Description of the song of the Nilgiri Thrush (Zoothera [aurea] neilgherriensis) and song differentiation across the Zoothera dauma species complex. Avian Research, 2018 9:28.

[pdf]
 
Turdus thrushes

Jenő Nagy, Zsolt Végvári & Zoltán Varga. Phylogeny, migration and life history: flling the gaps in the origin and biogeography of the Turdus thrushes.
Journal of Ornithology (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-019-01632-3

Abstract:

Although the biogeographic history of thrushes (Turdidae) has been extensively studied, a concise discussion of this topic is still lacking. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate: (1) the evolutionary origin of the migratory behaviour of the Turdus thrushes in a biogeographic context including (2) trans-Atlantic dispersal events, (3) possible colonization routes into the Nearctic, and (4) relationships among life history traits, ecological factors, and migratory strategies within the most comprehensive taxon set of 72 Turdus thrushes to date. We estimated the ancestral ranges of the studied species, primarily by comparing main biogeographic models (dispersal-vicariance, dispersal-extinction-cladogenesis, BayArea models), and performed phylogenetic generalized least squares analyses to identify relationships among distribution patterns, diet, body measurements, clutch size, and migratory behaviour. We found that the most probable ancestral regions for all Turdus species were located in the East Palearctic realm, followed by early colonization of the western Palearctic and Africa, and that several trans-Atlantic movements occurred between 11 and 4 million years ago, which is earlier than previously thought. Migration emerged as an ancestral behaviour of the genus Turdus, and differences in clutch size and main food types were significant between migratory and non-migratory species. Correlated evolution was found between migration and along-latitudinal mobility, main food type, and the shift in main food type between the seasons. We conclude that along-latitudinal movements may have evolved earlier, simultaneously with the radiation of the Turdus thrushes, followed by the appearance of meridional migration, associated with orographic and climatic changes. The increased clutch sizes observed in migratory species and documented here for thrushes could serve as an important mechanism to compensate for losses due to mortality during migration.

[pdf]
 
Jenő Nagy, Zsolt Végvári & Zoltán Varga. Phylogeny, migration and life history: flling the gaps in the origin and biogeography of the Turdus thrushes.
Journal of Ornithology (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-019-01632-3

Abstract:

Although the biogeographic history of thrushes (Turdidae) has been extensively studied, a concise discussion of this topic is still lacking. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate: (1) the evolutionary origin of the migratory behaviour of the Turdus thrushes in a biogeographic context including (2) trans-Atlantic dispersal events, (3) possible colonization routes into the Nearctic, and (4) relationships among life history traits, ecological factors, and migratory strategies within the most comprehensive taxon set of 72 Turdus thrushes to date. We estimated the ancestral ranges of the studied species, primarily by comparing main biogeographic models (dispersal-vicariance, dispersal-extinction-cladogenesis, BayArea models), and performed phylogenetic generalized least squares analyses to identify relationships among distribution patterns, diet, body measurements, clutch size, and migratory behaviour. We found that the most probable ancestral regions for all Turdus species were located in the East Palearctic realm, followed by early colonization of the western Palearctic and Africa, and that several trans-Atlantic movements occurred between 11 and 4 million years ago, which is earlier than previously thought. Migration emerged as an ancestral behaviour of the genus Turdus, and differences in clutch size and main food types were significant between migratory and non-migratory species. Correlated evolution was found between migration and along-latitudinal mobility, main food type, and the shift in main food type between the seasons. We conclude that along-latitudinal movements may have evolved earlier, simultaneously with the radiation of the Turdus thrushes, followed by the appearance of meridional migration, associated with orographic and climatic changes. The increased clutch sizes observed in migratory species and documented here for thrushes could serve as an important mechanism to compensate for losses due to mortality during migration.

[pdf]


I'm so crazy that I could recognize five genera, only based on divergence time between each clade.
 
Turdela. The HBW Key refers to Baker-Webb & Bertholet 1836. Here:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/128816#page/33/mode/1up .
I think this is not Latin or not a genus name. Grive (Turdela)
I did see Turdelam used by Brisson. Here:
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/125623#page/248/mode/1up .
Not sure if this is Latin or if it is a genus name?
Melizocincla Wolters v. VI s. 405 1980.
Orig. Descr.
"Melizocincla subg. nov. - Gekennzeichnet durch die Kombination von spitzem Wandervogelflügel (ausserste Schwinge 10-15mm lang, 9. [von innen gezahlt] zwischen 7, und 6.), pfeilspitzenartige Flecken auf der Unterseite und ockergelbe Unterflügelfedern; Ohrgegend ohne dunkle Zeichnung (Unterscheid zu Otocichla), Schnabel weniger breit als bei der auch ähnlichen Hylocichla (die zudem weisse Unterflügeldecken hat); nicht geschlechtsdimorph (im Gegensatz zu Cichloselys s. str.). Eifärbung charakteristisch (grünblau mit kleinen schwarzen oder dunkelbraunen Flecken). T y p u s : Turdus philomelos Brehm, Handbuch d. Naturgesch. d. Vögel Deutschlands, p. 382 (1831)."
Quoting from the HBW Key:
Lamprophonus
(syn. Turdus Ϯ Song Thrush T. philomelos) Gr. λαμπροφωνος lamprophōnos clear-voiced < λαμπρος lampros clear; φωνη phōnē voice, cry < φωνεω phōneō to speak (cf. φωνος phōnos loud-voiced); "Lamprophonus musicus, Throstle. Lamprophonus variegatus, White's Thrush. Lamprophonus viscivorus, Shrite. Lamprophonus pilaris, Fieldfare. Lamprophonus turdus, Redwing." (Morris 1837) (OD per Björn Bergenholtz). Rev. Francis Orpen Morris was anti-Darwin but also anti- foxhunting? Charles Thorold Wood and Neville Wood seem to a modern person very bad about Latin and animal names.
https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/10.3366/anh.2016.0380 .
 
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The first new subspecies in 2019

Distribution and status of Turdus thrushes in white-sand areas of eastern Colombia, with a new subspecies of T. leucomelas
F. GARY STILES, JORGE ENRIQUE AVENDAÑO

Abstract

White-sand areas in the Colombian Amazon harbor many endemic and specialist species that are relatively little studied with respect to their ecology, distribution and zoogeographic affinities, for example Turdus thrushes. A recent expedition to the Serranía de Chiribiquete, a mountain range of Guianan origin in the Colombian Amazon, resulted in the discovery of an enigmatic Turdus thrush restricted to white-sand vegetation. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the ND2 gene revealed that this population is genetically similar to T. leucomelas albiventer, from which it differs in its smaller size and darker, duller plumage. Therefore, we here describe this population as a new subspecies of T. leucomelas. Furthermore, our inspection of specimens of Turdus taxa from eastern Colombia revealed the existence of sympatry between T. ignobilis debilis and T. i. arthuri at two sites. Based on this evidence and previously documented genetic and phenotypic differences, we recognize T. arthuri as a distinct biological species. We analyze distributions and measurements of functional traits among four thrush taxa of eastern Colombia.

Keywords

endemism, Guiana shield, habitat specialization, species delimitation, Aves

https://mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4567.1.9
 
The first new subspecies in 2019

Distribution and status of Turdus thrushes in white-sand areas of eastern Colombia, with a new subspecies of T. leucomelas
F. GARY STILES, JORGE ENRIQUE AVENDAÑO

Abstract

White-sand areas in the Colombian Amazon harbor many endemic and specialist species that are relatively little studied with respect to their ecology, distribution and zoogeographic affinities, for example Turdus thrushes. A recent expedition to the Serranía de Chiribiquete, a mountain range of Guianan origin in the Colombian Amazon, resulted in the discovery of an enigmatic Turdus thrush restricted to white-sand vegetation. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the ND2 gene revealed that this population is genetically similar to T. leucomelas albiventer, from which it differs in its smaller size and darker, duller plumage. Therefore, we here describe this population as a new subspecies of T. leucomelas. Furthermore, our inspection of specimens of Turdus taxa from eastern Colombia revealed the existence of sympatry between T. ignobilis debilis and T. i. arthuri at two sites. Based on this evidence and previously documented genetic and phenotypic differences, we recognize T. arthuri as a distinct biological species. We analyze distributions and measurements of functional traits among four thrush taxa of eastern Colombia.

Keywords

endemism, Guiana shield, habitat specialization, species delimitation, Aves

https://mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4567.1.9

Full article there
 
Turdus arthuri

The first new subspecies in 2019

Distribution and status of Turdus thrushes in white-sand areas of eastern Colombia, with a new subspecies of T. leucomelas
F. GARY STILES, JORGE ENRIQUE AVENDAÑO

Abstract

White-sand areas in the Colombian Amazon harbor many endemic and specialist species that are relatively little studied with respect to their ecology, distribution and zoogeographic affinities, for example Turdus thrushes. A recent expedition to the Serranía de Chiribiquete, a mountain range of Guianan origin in the Colombian Amazon, resulted in the discovery of an enigmatic Turdus thrush restricted to white-sand vegetation. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the ND2 gene revealed that this population is genetically similar to T. leucomelas albiventer, from which it differs in its smaller size and darker, duller plumage. Therefore, we here describe this population as a new subspecies of T. leucomelas. Furthermore, our inspection of specimens of Turdus taxa from eastern Colombia revealed the existence of sympatry between T. ignobilis debilis and T. i. arthuri at two sites. Based on this evidence and previously documented genetic and phenotypic differences, we recognize T. arthuri as a distinct biological species. We analyze distributions and measurements of functional traits among four thrush taxa of eastern Colombia.

Keywords

endemism, Guiana shield, habitat specialization, species delimitation, Aves

https://mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4567.1.9

IOC Updates Diary

Mar 15 Post proposed split of Campina Thrush on Updates/PS
 
Luis Sandoval & Gilbert Barrantes. Is black plumage an adaptation to high elevations in a cosmopolitan bird genus? Journal of Avian Biology, Accepted articles.

Abstract:

Black plumage is expected to absorb and retain more heat and provide better protection against UV radiation compared with lighter plumages. Black plumage is common in species of the genera Turdus and Platycichla that inhabit highlands across different regions of the world. Considering this geographical recurrent pattern we tested the hypothesis that black plumage in these two genera has evolved as a co-adaptive response to inhabiting highlands, reconstructing ancestral character states for plumage and altitudinal distribution using maximum-likelihood methods, and a Pagel's multistate discrete method. For these analyses, we used a phylogeny based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA regions that included 60 of the 66 recognized species in the genera Turdus and Platycichla. We found that black-plumage coloration evolved independently on eight occasions within these two genera, and species with black plumage occur more often at highlands. Our results support the hypothesis that black-plumage is adaptative in highlands; but, studies in other bird groups with black-plumage inhabiting at the same elevations will provide evidence for this adaptive hypothesis or if the evolution of black-plumage in other groups is explained by other evolutionary forces.
 

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