albertonykus
Well-known member
Parish, J.C. (2025)
The phylogenetic relationships of the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) and the Solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria) within Columbidae (Aves: Columbiformes), including other large extinct taxa, based on morphological data
Historical Biology (advance online publication)
doi: 10.1080/08912963.2025.2473546
The phylogenetic position of the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus (Linnaeus 1758)) and Solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria (Gmelin 1789)), the large extinct pigeons of the Mascarene Islands, has been determined by analysis of molecular and morphological data. However, robust and concordant phylogenetic relationships of these taxa have not been satisfactorily determined using morphological data. Furthermore, several other large extinct terrestrial columbids have not been included in any previous analyses – either morphological or molecular – precluding robust knowledge of their relationships. A new parsimony analysis was undertaken, utilising 32 columbid taxa (including the extinct taxa Bountyphaps Worthy & Wragg 2008, Microgoura Rothschild 1904, Natunaornis Worthy 2001, Gallicolumba nui Steadman, 1992 and G. longitarsus Balouet & Olson 1989) and 140 osteological, soft-part and behavioural characters. The results of the present analysis support the findings of Janoo and Shapiro et al. in the placement of the Dodo and Solitaire close to Goura Stephens 1819, and of the latter authors’ analysis in recovering similar clades. Differences in the results may be due to the effects of homoplasy (convergence towards terrestriality and large size) and heterochrony (paedomorphism and peramorphism), which played an important part in the evolution of the Dodo and Solitaire.
The phylogenetic relationships of the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus) and the Solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria) within Columbidae (Aves: Columbiformes), including other large extinct taxa, based on morphological data
Historical Biology (advance online publication)
doi: 10.1080/08912963.2025.2473546
The phylogenetic position of the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus (Linnaeus 1758)) and Solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria (Gmelin 1789)), the large extinct pigeons of the Mascarene Islands, has been determined by analysis of molecular and morphological data. However, robust and concordant phylogenetic relationships of these taxa have not been satisfactorily determined using morphological data. Furthermore, several other large extinct terrestrial columbids have not been included in any previous analyses – either morphological or molecular – precluding robust knowledge of their relationships. A new parsimony analysis was undertaken, utilising 32 columbid taxa (including the extinct taxa Bountyphaps Worthy & Wragg 2008, Microgoura Rothschild 1904, Natunaornis Worthy 2001, Gallicolumba nui Steadman, 1992 and G. longitarsus Balouet & Olson 1989) and 140 osteological, soft-part and behavioural characters. The results of the present analysis support the findings of Janoo and Shapiro et al. in the placement of the Dodo and Solitaire close to Goura Stephens 1819, and of the latter authors’ analysis in recovering similar clades. Differences in the results may be due to the effects of homoplasy (convergence towards terrestriality and large size) and heterochrony (paedomorphism and peramorphism), which played an important part in the evolution of the Dodo and Solitaire.
